Leiomyosarcoma: Location and Behavior
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The prognosis for cutaneous smooth-muscle neoplasms depends on the depth of involvement.
Heavily Pigmented Melanocytic Lesions: A Spectrum of Lesions with a Different Prognosis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Are these lesions indeed a horse of a different color when it comes to outcomes?
Look-Alike Lesions: Can FISH Be the Answer?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Fluorescence in situ hybridization found clonal abnormalities that usefully discriminated benign from malignant nevi.
Atypical Spitzoid Melanocytic Tumors: Follow-Up
Dermatology Summary and Comment
These lesions were associated with better outcomes in younger patients.
Farming Clones for Treating Melanoma
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A patient's immune response may seed the means for attacking malignant melanoma.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
January 8, 2010
Covering:
Khammari A et al., J Invest Dermatol 2009 Dec; 129:2835
Looking Far Afield . . .
Some day, perhaps, we will fight HPV infection by inhibiting furin proprotein convertases.
Skin Cancer in Heart Transplant Recipients
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Age and prior cancer history increased already high rates of nonmelanoma skin cancers in these patients.
By George J. Hruza, MD
December 23, 2009
Covering:
Brewer JD et al., Arch Dermatol 2009 Dec; 145:1391
Are Sunscreens Cost-Effective for the Prevention of Skin Cancer?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
A modest investment in prevention produced substantial savings in illness-related costs.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
December 11, 2009
Covering:
Gordon LG et al., J Invest Dermatol 2009 Dec; 129:2766
King SC and Chen S., J Invest Dermatol 2009 Dec; 129:2745
Do Oral Contraceptives Explain the "Edge," as Women Overtake Men in SCC Risk?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The data are insufficient to draw any conclusions about current use of oral contraceptives.
By June Robinson, MD
December 11, 2009
Covering:
Applebaum KM et al., J Invest Dermatol 2009 Dec; 129:2760
Cilia Disease
Dermatology Summary and Comment
"Ciliopathies" point to a role for the organelles in cancer.
BRIEFLY NOTED
Myopathy-related risk for arterial disease, low ambient UV and prevalence of immune disease, questioning the link between isotretinoin and IBD, and a severe combined immunodeficiency variant
Sunscreen for Organ Transplant Recipients
Dermatology Summary and Comment
An ounce of sunscreen is worth a pound of cure.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
October 23, 2009
Covering:
Ulrich C et al., Br J Dermatol 2009 Nov; 161:78
KIT: Immunohistochemical Detection and Genetic Analysis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Acral lentiginous/mucosal melanomas are more likely than other types to harbor <$EMPH_O>KIT<$EMPH_C> mutations, and IHC staining can help identify higher-risk patients.
FISHing for a Diagnosis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
We are close to landing a helpful tool for distinguishing melanomas from benign nevi.
Scope This Out
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
About 43% of dermatologists use dermoscopy on a daily basis to aid diagnosis of lesions — and to reassure patients.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
October 16, 2009
Covering:
Noor O 2nd et al., Int J Dermatol 2009 Sep; 48:951
Digital Anesthesia with Added Epinephrine
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Even patients with considerable comorbidities had no adverse effects from epinephrine.
By George J. Hruza, MD
October 16, 2009
Covering:
Firoz B et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2009 Oct; 61:639
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Insufficient tumor necrosis factor affected the ability of T lymphocytes to migrate to the skin.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
October 9, 2009
Covering:
Agius E et al., J Exp Med 2009 Aug 31; 206:1929
Polymorphisms in CTLA4 Confer Susceptibility to Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
A genetic variant that confers excess risk for autoimmune disease may also protect against nonmelanoma skin cancers.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
September 25, 2009
Covering:
Welsh MM et al., Cancer Res 2009 Aug 1; 69:6158
Elastin: A Matter of Boundaries
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
An easily available tool helps to evaluate nevi-associated malignant melanoma.
A Mole Gene Among Us
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Researchers locate variants associated with elevated nevus count, a melanoma risk factor.
Not Only B but Also T: Lymphomas Localized to the Leg
Dermatology Summary and Comment
In a new variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, tumor aggression is again associated with location.
It's Official: Tanning Beds Cause Cancer
The WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer has raised the classification of ultraviolet-emitting tanning devices to "carcinogenic to humans."
Trimming the Hedgehog
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
A novel inhibitor of the hedgehog signaling pathway had promising results in patients with metastatic and aggressive local BCCs.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
September 2, 2009
Covering:
Von Hoff DD et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 2
Dlugosz AA and Talpaz M., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 2
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers in Patients with HIV Mirror Cancer in the General Population
Dermatology Summary and Comment
In persons with HIV infection, as in the general population, the factors most associated with the development of cutaneous malignancies are the traditional ones.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
August 28, 2009
Covering:
Crum-Cianflone N et al., Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 22; 169:1130
CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disease: The Mysterious Case of the Leg
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The prognosis is different for older patients with extensive leg disease.
