Meta-analysis of sunburn and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

While UV radiation is a known carcinogen associated with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), sunburn’s specific role remains less clear. In a meta-analysis including 17 studies with a combined 321,473 participants, medium to high frequencies of painful, blisering, and/or severe sunburns over an individual’s lifetime, as well as high frequencies of such sunburns during childhood, were significantly associated with increased odds of cSCC. Furthermore, any painful, blistering, and/or severe sunburn across the lifetin significantly elevated the odds of cSCC. The authors conclude that this analysis support evidence for an association between painful, blistering, and/or severe sunburns and cSCC.