A rare, inherited skin disease. The skin is normal at birth, but photosensitivity (extreme sensitivity to sunlight) causes it to become dry, wrinkled, freckled, and prematurely aged by about the age of 5. Noncancerous skin tumours and skin cancers also develop. Xeroderma pigmentosum is often accompanied by related eye problems, such as photophobia and conjunctivitis. Treatment of the condition consists of protecting the skin from sunlight. Skin cancers are usually treated surgically or with radiotherapy.
Xeroderma pigmentosum |
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