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.
Smoking Is Associated with Increased Risk for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Smoking is associated with risk for squamous cell carcinoma in both men and women, but especially among women.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
February 10, 2012
Covering:
Rollison DE et al., Cancer Causes Control 2011 Nov 19
Basal Cell Carcinoma at a Young Age: Another Consequence of Tanning Beds
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Tanning bed users younger than 40 developed early-onset BCCs significantly more often than nonusers.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
February 3, 2012
Covering:
Ferrucci LM et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Dec 8
Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements: What Do the Data Show? Who Should Be Treated?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Vitamin D and calcium supplementation may lower fracture risk in some individuals, but data regarding its effects on cancer are inconclusive.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Chung M et al., Ann Intern Med 2011 Dec 20; 155:827
Adnexal Tumor: Useful Information in a Pathology Report
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Pagetoid spread and an infiltrative growth pattern suggest the need for extended excision of some eccrine porocarcinomas.
By Angelica Selim, MD
January 27, 2012
Covering:
Belin E et al., Br J Dermatol 2011 Nov; 165:985
A Proposed Mechanism Behind SCC Formation in Vemurafenib Recipients
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
The presence of <$EMPH_O>RAS<$EMPH_C> mutations suggests that preexisting keratinocytes bearing these mutations are unmasked by vemurafenib
Stem Cells on the Clock: Circadian Rhythm Proteins Regulate Epidermal Stem Cells
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Investigators found an association between expression of genes associated with stem cell function and expression of circadian rhythm genes.
Vitamin D and UVB Radiation: How Much Is Necessary?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
For individuals unable to benefit from supplements, ultraviolet B exposure every 2 weeks may be an alternative.
More Evidence That Combined Tacrolimus and Narrowband UVB Are Useful for Vitiligo
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Combined treatment was better than ultraviolet treatment alone, and the effects were tacrolimus dose-dependent.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
January 6, 2012
Covering:
Nordal EJ et al., J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2011 Dec; 25:1440
Granulomatous Processes and Clonality: PCR Evaluation of T-Cell Rearrangement for Diagnosis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Analysis of T-cell clonality is useful for differentiating sarcoidosis and primary granuloma annulare from granulomatous CTCLs.
By Angelica Selim, MD
January 6, 2012
Covering:
Pfaltz K et al., Am J Dermatopathol 2011 Oct; 33:659
How Effective Is Melanoma Screening?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Melanoma mortality dropped significantly in one German state after a population-wide screening project, while mortality rates remained stable in the rest of Germany.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
December 22, 2011
Covering:
Breitbart EW et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Nov 8
Behind the Numbers: Number Needed to Screen
Dr. Joel Gelfand elucidates the concept of number needed to screen in "Behind the Numbers", a new <$EMPH_O>Journal Watch Dermatology<$EMPH_C> feature aimed at clarifying issues in epidemiologic design and biostatistics.
By Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE
December 22, 2011
