UVB Narrowband Safety

Type:Uv phototherapy   Time:2017-04-27 11:32:09
Indications are that UVB Narrowband is an effective and safe treatment for Vitiligo, Psoriasis and other skin challenges.  There are two retrospective studies that I have found that show that UVB Narrowband is a very safe treatment. That��s not to say that there is no risk, these studies show that the risk may be minimal. The decision to choose UV treatment is a medical decison between you and your doctor.

CLINICAL REPORT (Weischer, Blum, Eberhard, Rocken and Berneburg)
No Evidence for Increased Skin Cancer Risk in Psoriasis Patients Treated with Broadband or Narrowband UVB Phototherapy:A First Retrospective Study 

REVIEW: (Lee, Koo and Berger)
UVB Phototherapy and skin cancer risk: a review of the literature.


Abstract
Background
UVB phototherapy is a common treatment modality for psoriasis and other skin diseases. Although UVB has been in use for many decades, many clinicians are hesitant to use this type of phototherapy because of concern over increasing the skin cancer risk. Over the past 20 years, numerous studies have been published examining this issue, but a consensus or analysis of the skin cancer risk is required for the dermatologist to make an educated risk�Cbenefit analysis.

Objective
To assess the risk of skin cancer associated with UVB phototherapy.

Methods
All prospective or retrospective studies were identified in MEDLINE from 1966 to June 2002. Bibliographies were searched to identify any additional studies examining this issue. All studies that attempted to quantify or qualify any additional skin cancer risk from UVB phototherapy were included. Study selection was performed by two independent reviewers. Results Eleven studies (10 of which concerned psoriasis patients), involving approximately 3400 participants, were included. Of note, three of the studies involved the same cohort: members of the 16-center US Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) Follow-up Study. Other than the most recent Finnish study, all studies eventually showed no increased skin cancer risk with UVB phototherapy.One of the PUVA cohort studies examined genital skin cancers, and found an increased rate of genital tumors associated with UVB phototherapy, although this study has not been duplicated.

Conclusion
The evidence suggests that UVB phototherapy remains a very safe treatment modality