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Xeroderma pigmentosum variant is a milder subtype of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), a rare genetic photodermatosis characterized by severe sun sensitivity and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Features include always present findings: Cutaneous photosensitivity, Cutaneous telangiectasia, and Freckles in sun-exposed areas; and common findings: Squamous cell carcinoma. 15 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Skin | 2 | Cutaneous photosensitivity, Cutaneous telangiectasia |
Eyes | 2 | Keratitis, Conjunctivitis |
Head and neck | 1 | Microcephaly |
Muscles | 1 | Dermal atrophy |
Growth and development | 1 | Growth delay |
The findings from 106 individuals with XP examined at the National Institutes of Health (US) in a long-term study from 1971 to 2009 by and are summarized in and the text following. Table 2. Xeroderma Pigmentosum: Frequency of Select Features
Feature | % of Persons w/Feature | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Acute sunburn reaction w/minimal UV exposure | 60% | — |
Freckle-like lesions on sun-exposed skin | 100% | — |
Xerosis poikiloderma on sun-exposed skin | 100% | Extent of xerosis poikiloderma is dependent on amount of sun/UV exposure. |
Ocular abnormalities | 90% | Limited to anterior, UV-exposed portion of eyes lids |
POLH function has not been fully characterized.
Xeroderma pigmentosum variant type is caused by mutations in the POLH gene on chromosome 6.
No genotype-phenotype correlations, besides those shown in , have been identified.
Source: GeneReviews — "Xeroderma Pigmentosum"
(full text) published diagnostic criteria focused on Japanese individuals with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP).
XP should be suspected in individuals with the following clinical findings and family history.
Clinical findings
• Skin
Acute sun sensitivity (severe sunburn with blistering or persistent erythema on minimal sun exposure)
Marked freckle-like pigmentation (lentigos) on the face before age two years
Skin cancer within the first decade of life
• Eye
Photophobia with prominent conjunctival injection
Severe keratitis, sometimes resulting in corneal opacification and vascularization
Increased pigmentation of the lids with loss of lashes
Atrophy of the skin of the lids resulting in ectropion, entropion, or in severe cases complete loss of the lids
Ocular surface neoplasms
Source: GeneReviews — "Xeroderma Pigmentosum"
Other nucleotide excision repair disorders associated with cutaneous photosensitivity to consider in the differential diagnosis of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) are summarized (see also ) [, , , , , ]. Table 5. Autosomal Recessive Nucleotide Excision Repair Disorders Exhibiting Cutaneous Photosensitivity
Gene(s) | Disorder1 | Clinical Features / Comment |
|---|---|---|
ERCC11ERCC21ERCC51ERCC62 | Cerebrooculofacioskeletal syndrome (COFS; OMIM PS214150) | Progressive neurologic disorder marked by microcephaly w/intracranial calcifications, growth failure, ocular findings (microcornea, cataracts, optic atrophy) congenital joint contractures. Photosensitivity may occur w/concurrent cellular phenotype of UV sensitivity. |
ERCC21ERCC31GTF2H5GTF2E23MPLKIP4 |
Genetic testing for POLH is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
No approved treatments are currently available for xeroderma pigmentosum variant type. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis General clinical care guidelines for individuals with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) have been proposed by the Japanese Dermatological Association (full text). Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with XP, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended. Table 6. Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with Xeroderma Pigmentosum
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Photosensitivity acceleratedphotoaging | Baseline exam of skin (incl all sun-exposed as well as sun-shielded areas) | Look for evidence of sunlight-induced damage incl pigmentary changes, precancerous lesions, skin cancers. Exam of lip adjacent tip of tongue |
(cataract) retina | Examine lids anterior UV-exposed portions of globe as well as retina. | Look for evidence of sun-induced damage incl ectropion, entropion, inflammatory masses (pterygia, pinguecula), clouding of cornea, cataracts, cancer of lids, conjunctiva, or cornea.; Eversion of lids may be necessary to detect cancers of mucosal surface. Schirmer test to detect dry eyes |
abnormalities | Palpation of thyroid /or thyroid ultrasound assessing for presence of thyroid nodules | Thyroid ultrasound is more sensitive in identifying presence of thyroid nodules.; TI-RADS score provides descriptors for suspicion levels of nodules. Genetic |
counseling | By genetics professionals1 |
Source: GeneReviews — "Xeroderma Pigmentosum"
UV exposure from sunlight and artificial sources of UV radiation should be avoided . Artificial sources of UV. Certain light sources (e.g., mercury arc, halogen, and other lamps) can be unrecognized sources of UV. Although such light sources are often shielded, in open areas such as gymnasiums they can be a source of UV if the shield has been breached. UV meters are readily available to enable monitoring of areas to identify unexpected UV sources. Cigarette smoke. Because cells from individuals with XP are also hypersensitive to environmental mutagens, such as benzo[a]pyrene found in cigarette smoke, prudence dictates that individuals with XP should be protected against these agents. One individual with XP who smoked cigarettes for more than ten years died of bronchogenic carcinoma of the lungs at age 35 years . The authors have cared for another individual with XP who smoked and developed lung cancer in the fifth decade of life.
Source: GeneReviews — "Xeroderma Pigmentosum"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "Xeroderma Pigmentosum"
View trials for xeroderma pigmentosum variant type
Table 8. Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with Xeroderma Pigmentosum
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Skin | Exam by physician | Every 3-12 mos depending on severity of skin disease Exam by affected person or caregivers to look for abnormal pigmented lesions or appearance of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma (requires instruction in recognition of cutaneous neoplasms) |
Eyes | Exam for signs of UV exposure damage | At least every 6 mos depending on severity of ocular UV exposure damage |
Neurologic | Routine neurologic exam for progressive neurologic abnormalities that are present in minority of persons w/XP may not be detected in young children | Every 12 mos for symptomatic patients unless there is new onset of neurologic abnormalities |
Hearing | Audiograms | Every 6-12 mos Female reproductive |
system | Laboratory assessment for premature ovarian insufficiency1 | Every 12 mos beginning at age 18 yrs 1. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Xeroderma Pigmentosum"
Phenotype severity distribution: 3 always present features, 1 common feature.
Estimated prevalence: <1 in 1,000,000 (VERY_RARE).
No clinical trials have been registered for xeroderma pigmentosum variant type.
8 publications have been identified in PubMed for xeroderma pigmentosum variant type. Research spans Basic Science / Preclinical (50%), Case Report / Case Series (25%), and Review / Meta-Analysis (13%).
Visigalli A (2026). [PMID: 42166703](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42166703/). *J Chem Theory Comput*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Okuwa M (2025). [PMID: 39673222](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39673222/). *Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Ahuja R (2025). [PMID: 39731425](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39731425/). *Pediatric dermatology*. [Clinical Trial Publication]
Hong JK (2025). [PMID: 40334807](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40334807/). *Chemico-biological interactions*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Corradi C (2025). [PMID: 40794023](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40794023/). *Molecular carcinogenesis*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Chung AT (2024). [PMID: 39431256](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39431256/). *Acta medica Philippina*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Sagun JP (2024). [PMID: 39621777](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39621777/). *PLoS genetics*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Bedaiwi S (2024). [PMID: 39457395](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39457395/). *Genes*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 18, 2026, 2:21 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Progressive neurologic abnormalities |
25% |
Primarily in those w/pathogenic variants in ERCC2, ERCC3, ERCC4, ERCC5, or XPA |
Cutaneous neoplasia | 65% | Frequency extent of neoplastic lesions is dependent on amount of sun/UV exposure. |
Other neoplasias | 10- to 20-fold increase | Internal neoplasms incl brain CNS tumors, hematologic malignancies, breast cancer, tumors of female reproductive tract, papillary thyroid cancer, kidney cancer, cancer in smokers have been reported. Cutaneous findings. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Xeroderma Pigmentosum"
Variable phenotype incl photosensitivity, ichthyosis, brittle hair w/"tiger tail" appearance under polarizing microscopy, intellectual impairment, short stature, microcephaly, dysmyelination of brain, characteristic facial features of protruding ears micrognathia. |
ERCC21ERCC31ERCC41ERCC51,6,7 | XP / Cockayne syndrome (CS) complex | Assoc w/facial freckling early skin cancers typical of XP some features of CS (e.g., ID, spasticity, short stature, hypogonadism) but not skeletal dysplasia. |
ERCC21 | COFS/TTD8 | Combined features of COFS TTD. Hair may be short, brittle, will demonstrate "tiger tail" banding under polarizing microscopy. CS/TTD complex8 |
ERCC610ERCC810UVSSA10 | UV-sensitive syndrome | Mild photosensitivity w/o pigmentary abnormalities or apparent defects in CNS. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Xeroderma Pigmentosum"
Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with Xeroderma Pigmentosum Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other Premalignant lesions |
(e.g., actinic keratoses) | Freezing w/liquid nitrogen | Larger areas of sun- |
damaged skin | Field treatments such as topical 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod preparations1 | Rarely, therapeutic dermatome shaving or dermabrasion is used to remove more damaged superficial epidermal layers. |