Those affected are extremely sensitive to the ultraviolet portion of sunlight. Normally, peoples bodies can repair this damage. Skin cancers include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma , and malignant melanoma . Basal cell skin cancers are fairly easy to treat and have a low rate of metastasis . Squamous cell cancer is more difficult to treat and melanoma has a very high rate of spreading to other organs.
Affected people develop increasing disfigurement following any intermittent exposure to sunlight.
Genetic counseling is recommended for prospective parents with a family history of xeroderma pigmentosa. Children with this condition require total protection from sunlight. In addition, light coming through window glass and light from fluorescent bulbs is also dangerous. When some sunlight exposure cannot be avoided, protective clothing should cover most of the skin surface. Most affected people die of malignancy before adulthood.