Virus Infections and Skin Cancer

Cancer refers to a group of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth in one or more parts of a body which may also spread to other parts of the body. Cancers that arise from the skin are called skin cancers. They can be categorized mainly into three types, basal-cell cancer (BCC), squamous-cell cancer (SCC), and melanoma. Basal skin cancer grows gradually and damages the surrounding tissue. It becomes visible as a raised area of skin that appears shiny with small blood vessels running over it. It may also appear as a raised area with an ulcer. The most common form of treatment for skin cancers is surgical excision or reconstructive surgery. Human papillomaviridae (HPVs) are small non-enveloped viruses belonging to the Papillomaviridae family. There are five main classes or genera of HPVs namely α, β, γ, ν, and µ. Out of these five, α-HPV and β-HPV are known to play a role in human diseases. α-HPVs play an etiological role in mucosal and skin infections as well as cervical carcinoma and benign viral warts. β-HPVs have been associated with skin infections and SCC. This book presents various researches on the role of viruses in the development of skin cancers. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.