A child that sunburns easily has an increased risk of which condition?

• A. Squamous cell carcinoma
• B. Melanoma
• C. Basal cell carcinoma
• D. Actinic keratosis

Answer: (A)

A child who sunburns easily is at an increased risk for developing squamous cell carcinoma. Frequent sunburns indicate significant damage to the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can result in mutations within skin cells. Squamous cell carcinoma arises from the outer layer of skin (the epidermis) and is often linked to cumulative sun exposure and prior sunburns.

The mechanism involves UV radiation causing DNA damage, which can lead to abnormal cell growth. While other skin cancers, such as melanoma and basal cell carcinoma, can also be related to UV exposure, squamous cell carcinoma typically has a more direct association with intermittent sunburns during childhood. This increased susceptibility due to past sunburns can manifest later in life as skin cancers develop.

Actinic keratosis, on the other hand, represents a precancerous state primarily seen in older individuals with significant sun exposure over time, rather than a direct consequence of childhood sunburns.