Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Rates: A Worldwide Problem
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Cancer registries should include squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas to make trends in these common cancers visible.
Melanoma Surveillance in the Digital Age
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The most frequent dermatoscopic features associated with melanoma were focal changes in pigmentation or structure.
A New Message from the USPSTF
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Behavioral counseling to prevent skin cancer is effective in young, fair-skinned patients.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
May 7, 2012
Covering:
Moyer VA on behalf of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force., Ann Intern Med 2012 May 8
Germline BAP1 Inactivation and Metastatic Ocular Melanoma
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
<$EMPH_O>BAP1<$EMPH_C> mutation is associated with metastatic ocular melanoma and familial cutaneous-ocular melanoma.
UVA1 Is Often A1!
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
After reviewing the evidence, a workshop group discusses the effectiveness, safety, and costs of UVA1 phototherapy.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
April 27, 2012
Covering:
Kerr AC et al., Clin Exp Dermatol 2012 Apr; 37:219
Red Melanomas
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Red papules and nodules should raise suspicion of melanoma, but the mortality risk is comparable with pigmented melanomas.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
April 27, 2012
Covering:
McClain SE et al., Int J Dermatol 2012 Apr; 51:420
The Programmed Death-1 Protein Is Often Detected in Cutaneous CD4-Positive Small/Medium-Sized Pleomorphic T-cell Lymphoma
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
This useful finding can prevent unnecessarily aggressive treatment.
TIL'ing Immunotherapy
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Although human cancers express antigens recognized by the immune system, immune responses don't always control tumor growth; tumor cells may adapt to avoid immune surveillance.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
April 20, 2012
Covering:
Taube JM et al., Sci Transl Med 2012 Mar 28; 4:127ra37
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: Location and Transformation
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Location on the extremities and fibrosarcomatous transformation indicated an increased risk for recurrence.
Surgical Margins for Melanoma in Situ
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Using Mohs surgery to delineate the true dimensions of a tumor, researchers identify a better standard for excision.
By Murad Alam, MD, MSCI
April 6, 2012
Covering:
Kunishige JH et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2012 Mar; 66:438
Can Bad Medical News Be Fatal?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Patients receiving a cancer diagnosis, especially one with poor prognosis, are at high risk for suicide or for cardiovascular death in the week following the diagnosis, and even up to a year later.
By Peter Roy-Byrne, MD
April 4, 2012
Covering:
Fang F et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Apr 5; 366:1310
Tanning Beds and the Rising Incidence of Basal Cell Carcinoma in Women
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Even a little tanning bed exposure can increase skin cancer risk.
Awakening the Giant — p53 Reactivation Potentiates Melanoma Therapy
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Restoring <$EMPH_O>TP53<$EMPH_C> tumor-suppressive signaling via HDM2 inhibition to suppress melanoma growth
By Kenneth Y. Tsai, MD, PhD
March 23, 2012
Covering:
Ji Z et al., J Invest Dermatol 2012 Feb; 132:356
Verhaegen M et al., Oncogene 2012 Feb 16; 31:828
Good and Bad News for Vitamin D in African-Americans with Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Photoprotective measures by African-American CLE patients did not reduce vitamin D concentrations, but half of all African-Americans had deficient levels.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
March 23, 2012
Covering:
Word AP et al., Br J Dermatol 2012 Feb; 166:372
Fine MAPping in Melanoma
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Researchers identify recurrent somatic mutations in genes in the MAP kinase pathway.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
March 16, 2012
Covering:
Stark MS et al., Nat Genet 2012 Feb; 44:165
Nikolaev SI et al., Nat Genet 2012 Feb; 44:133
A New Medication for Treatment of Actinic Keratoses
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Ingenol mebutate gel was significantly more effective than vehicle alone.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
March 14, 2012
Covering:
Lebwohl M et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 15; 366:1010
Melanoma Snapshot
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Melanoma trends predicted for 2012
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
March 9, 2012
Covering:
Siegel R et al., CA Cancer J Clin 2012 Jan/Feb; 62:10
Mohs Surgery Sometimes Requires Interdisciplinary Management with Plastic Surgery
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, excess pain during Mohs, and location over a cranial nerve were risk factors for aborted Mohs.
The "Stretch Test" Helps to Identify Basal Cell Carcinoma Boundaries
Dermatology Summary and Comment
This technique can aid tissue sparing and avoid repeat excisions for low-risk tumors.
Another Reason to Tell Patients with Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus to Quit Smoking!
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Preventive practices are a reasonable response to increased cancer risks in patients with CLE.
Vemurafenib for Previously Treated Melanomas
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Vemurafenib induced clinical response in more than half of patients with previously treated <$EMPH_O>BRAF V600E<$EMPH_C>–mutant metastatic melanoma.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
February 22, 2012
Covering:
Sosman JA et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Feb 23; 366:707
What Is the Optimal Frequency of Postmelanoma Follow-Up?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
A new schedule would reduce the number of follow-up visits.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
February 17, 2012
Covering:
Turner RM et al., J Clin Oncol 2011 Dec 10; 29:4641
A Raised Risk for NMSC in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Patients who receive azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine for inflammatory bowel disease have a greater risk for developing nonmelanoma skin cancer.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
February 17, 2012
Covering:
Singh H et al., Gastroenterology 2011 Nov; 141:1612
Peyrin-Biroulet L et al., Gastroenterology 2011 Nov; 141:1621
Jess T., Gastroenterology 2011 Nov; 141:1549
Radon and Skin Cancer — Yet Another Risk Factor for Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Geographic areas with higher radon levels had higher squamous cell carcinoma rates.
Friend and Foe: Langerhans Cells Implicated in SCC
Dermatology Summary and Comment
These cells surprisingly promoted squamous cell cancer formation when exposed to a mutagenic compound.
