| xeroderma | <medicine> Ichthyosis. A skin disease characterised by the presence of numerous small pigmented spots resembling freckles, with which are subsequently mingled spots of atrophied skin. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Dry + skin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| xeroderma pigmentosum | <disease> A rare inherited (autosomal recessive) disease in humans associated with increased sensitivity to ultraviolet induced mutagenesis and thus skin cancer. Sensitivity can be demonstrated in cultured cells and appears to be due to deficiency in DNA repair, specifically in excision of ultraviolet induced thymine dimers. Afflicted individuals are extremely sensitive to light and develop eye and skin abnormalities such as premature aging, keratoses and skin cancers and must be kept completely away from UV light. Inheritance: autosomal recessive. (18 Nov 1997) |