Skin Cancer

In this edition of Clinical Considerations, we examine the benefits of the dermatoscope, caring for psoriasis patients, and treating AK patients.

The goal of treatment for severely sun-damaged patients’ lesions is field therapy, which not only treats what dermatologists see, but also subclinical disease.

New information could eventually help identify a high-risk population before they get cancer - even prevent skin cancer’s onset.

An expert advises evaluating each patient’s surrounding circumstances when determining whether Mohs surgery is indicated.

Mohs surgery experts advise when Mohs is and isn’t optimal skin cancer treatment.

EWG, which focuses on consumer and environmental health, claims that 72 percent of 750 available sunscreens the group evaluated offer inferior protection or contain ingredients that could harm skin. Some pediatric dermatologists weigh in.

Xeroderma pigmentosum is a rare disease that leads to early skin cancer. New insights may lead to better prevention and survival for patients, as well as point to ways that UV-resistant gene functions could be used for skin cancer prevention and treatment.

A gene expression profile test rivals sentinel node biopsy in predicting distant metastasis in stage 1 and stage 2 melanoma, according to results from a new multicenter performance study.

The future of skin cancer and other disease detection could change with the development of a photonics device that listens to light.

The European Dermatology Forum and International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) has created international treatment guidelines for actinic keratosis that include optimal treatment strategies and recommendations.

Dermatologists attending the annual meeting for the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, in Naples, took a break from meeting sessions and presentations to hike a three-mile stretch of the beach wearing sun protective clothes and sunscreen, and talking with beachgoers about skin cancer recognition and prevention.

Early study results indicate the potential for a new class of inhibitory compounds to enhance the effect of anti-tumor drugs in melanoma treatment. What the future may hold.

While much progress has been made since interleukin-2 was used to treat melanoma, physicians are still weighing the advantages and disadvantages of monotherapy versus combination therapies.

Minimally invasive radiation therapy techniques may be viable alternatives for treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers in a variety of situations.

Modified PDT protocols prove promising for AK treatment, maintaining high clearance rates while reducing cost, one expert says.

Following guidelines will help to ensure more consistent outcomes, expert says. Biopsy success rests less on the type of biopsy than the expertise of the physician. Read the recommendations.

A new study reveals that toxin-producing bacteria like staphylococcus may fuel CTCL; therefore, antibacterial treatment may slow disease progression. Findings could one day change how you treat patients.

Dr. Hensin Tsao, shares his insight on why skin cancer cases are increasing, how new immunotherapy treatments bring hope and why dermatologists should be on the look out for new challenges.

Melanoma patients with fewer than 50 nevi may develop more aggressive melanomas than those with greater than 50 nevi, underscoring the need for education and consideration for skin cancer screening in all patients based on their overall risk.

Concerns have been raised over an FDA Drug Safety Communication about spontaneously submitted adverse reactions in patients using this topical treatment for actinic keratosis as well as labeling changes that were implemented because of those reports. One expert offers perspective.

The medical landscape has changed dramatically for advanced melanoma since 2011, with both individual and combination therapy regimens gaining approval in even recent months. While modern genomics knowledge and knowledge of the immune system have brought about significant improvements in response and longer survival periods for some patients, there is still no cure.

Study finds women diagnosed with malignant melanoma during their pregnancy or within one year of giving birth were more than five times more likely to die than women who weren't pregnant. Routine skin examinations may need to be included as part of postpartum appointments.

While highly sensitive technology is important for detecting melanoma, methods with poor sensitivity can lead to unnecessary biopsies, treatments, cost, as well as morbidity. Several technologies are available to improve sensitivity and specificity, some of which are used as second-level tests.

New technologies for managing skin cancer were a topic of discussion at a scientific session at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery’s 2015 annual meeting in Chicago in October. Seaver L. Soon, M.D., division of dermatology and dermatologic surgery at Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, Calif., was one of the moderators for the scientific discussion titled, “The Cutting Edge: New Technologies for Managing Skin Cancer.” Learn more

A new study suggests patients with darker skin types are more prone than those with lighter skin to acral pigmented lesions, and many people are unaware those lesions exist.

We’re looking back on what made the biggest impacts on dermatology in 2015. This is what your peers had to say.

Expert offers colleagues insight about the runner’s mentality on sunscreen and best practices for educating your local community

Transparent bioadhesive nanoparticles may offer alternative sun safety technology without the chemical exposure; questions remain

The ASDS, AAD, and other dermatology societies offer a wide variety of resources and programs that dermatologists can implement and get involved in to prevent skin cancer in their communities.

Survival rates for lentigo maligna (LM) melanoma-type melanomas vary. Acral lentiginous melanoma has a significantly worse survival rate than other melanoma subtypes with race appearing to play a role. Another factor may be poor awareness.