Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP)

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare genetic disorder that causes hypersensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light. Symptoms usually affect the parts of your body that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as your face, arms and lips. People with XP usually start showing symptoms in early childhood. They may get blistering sunburns after even just a few minutes in the sun.

Is xeroderma pigmentosum a type of cancer?

No. Xeroderma pigmentosum isn’t cancer, but it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

How does xeroderma pigmentosum affect my body?

People with XP develop sunburns easily and have a higher risk of skin cancer. Compared to those with average risk, people with XP have:

• 10,000 times higher risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
• 2,000 times higher risk of developing melanoma.

Some reports have also found that people with XP are more likely to develop cancers such as:

• Astrocytoma.
• Breast cancer.
• Glioblastoma.
• Kidney cancer.
• Leukemia.
• Lung cancer.
• Pancreatic cancer.
• Stomach cancer.
• Testicular cancer.
• Thyroid cancer.
• Uterine cancer.

How common is xeroderma pigmentosum?

Xeroderma pigmentosum is rare. Experts estimate about 1 in 1 million people in the United States and Europe have XP.

It’s more common in other parts of the world, occurring in around 1 in 22,000 people in Japan. It’s also more common in North Africa and the Middle East.