Bernt Lindelöf

Research

There are three major forms of skin cancer - malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Sunlight is the major carcinogen for all forms. In total there are around 40 000 new cases in Sweden each year.

There are numerous studies performed on these forms of skin cancer. One group of patients who have an extremely high risk of getting skin cancer is organ transplant recipients. This group of patients have for example a 100 fold (10 000%) increased risk to develop squamous cell carcinoma compared with the normal population. The Swedish transplant cohort, at present comprising approximately of 7 000 patient, is the base for several studies. The immune system is suppressed in these patients by medication in order to prevent rejection of new organs. The effect of this immunomodulation on carcinogenesis is studied together with co-factors as virus infections (human papilloma virus and cytomegalovirus). Also genetic studies on cancers are performed.

Basal cell carcinoma of the skin, the most common form of cancer, all organ included, is presently investigated in a large epidemiological study. Approximately 100 000 patients from the Swedish Cancer Registry with basal cell carcinoma is included. Having a basal cell carcinoma is an indirect sign of having a lot of sun exposure in the past. Sun exposure is necessary to produce vitamin D in the body and recent research has indicated that vitamin D is protective against cancer and certain other diseases and conditions. Thus, the risk of having other forms of cancers before the basal cell carcinoma is calculated in order to give some new information on the importance of sun exposure.

Lentigo maligna is malignant melanoma in situ. Grenz ray therapy (ultra soft X-rays) is used to treat these lesions with good therapeutic and cosmetic results. Up to 300 patients have been treated and will have long-term follow up.

Recent publications

Correct about skin cancer costs. Lindelöf B, Hedblad MA, Ringborg U. Läkartidningen. 2009 Apr 7-21;106(15-16):1112. Swedish. No abstract available.

Research without ethical approval occurs--often negligence behind. Review of Karolinska Institute's publications 2006. Lindelöf B, Lafolie P, Asp P, Forssberg O. Läkartidningen. 2009 Jan 28-Feb 3;106(5):279-81. Swedish. No abstract available

Allergy and autoimmune disease: a registry-based study. Lindelöf B, Granath F, Tengvall-Linder M, Lindelöf H, Ekbom A. Clin Exp Allergy. 2009 Jan;39(1):110-5. Epub 2008 Dec 2.

Nevus or malignant melanoma? Correct diagnostic competence results in lower costs. Lindelöf B, Hedblad MA, Ringborg U. Läkartidningen. 2008 Sep 24-30;105(39):2666-9. Swedish. No abstract available.

Trends during a half century in relative squamous cell carcinoma distribution by body site in the Swedish population: support for accumulated sun exposure as the main risk factor. Dal H, Boldemann C, Lindelöf B.J Dermatol. 2008 Feb;35(2):55-62.

Burn injuries and skin cancer: a population-based cohort study .Lindelöf B, Krynitz B, Granath F, Ekbom A.Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88(1):20-2.

Forslund O, Iftner T, Andersson K, Lindelöf B, Hradil E, Nordin P, Stenquist B, Kirnbauer R, Dillner J, de Villiers EM; Viraskin Study Group. Cutaneous human papillomaviruses found in sun-exposed skin: Beta-papillomavirus species 2 predominates in squamous cell carcinoma. J Infect Dis. 2007 Sep 15;196(6):876-83.

Dal H, Boldemann C, Lindelöf B. Does relative melanoma distribution by body site 1960-2004 reflect changes in intermittent exposure and intentional tanning in the Swedish population? Eur J Dermatol. 2007 Sep-Oct;17(5):428-34

Lindelöf B, Jarnvik J, Ternesten-Bratel A, Granath F, Hedblad MA. Mortality and clinicopathological features of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in organ transplant recipients: a study of the Swedish cohort. Acta Derm Venereol. 2006;86(3):219-22

Lindelöf B, Granath F, Tengvall-Linder M, Ekbom A. Allergy and cancer. Allergy. 2005 Sep;60(9):1116-20.

Lindelöf B, Dal H, Wolk K, Malmborg N. Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Organ Transplant Recipients. A study of the Swedish cohort with regard to tumor site. Arch Dermatol. 2005;141:447-51.

Lindelöf B. Hur skall basalcellscancer behandlas på bästa sätt. Medicinsk kommentar. Läkartidningen. 2005;102:1650-1.