Skin Cancer

Though a cure for melanoma remains elusive, continued research has borne several promising treatment approaches with more targeted drugs that can help lengthen melanoma patients' survival, buying them time until more effective treatments come to light.

In the battle against melanoma, a new test has shown that it can identify primary cutaneous melanomas that are likely to metastasize in patients who had negative sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB). Data were presented at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

There is a misconception that people with skin of color are not at risk of skin cancer, and dermatologists are responsible for better educating themselves and their patients about this danger, says an expert who spoke at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

A new study suggests that triple protection factor broad-spectrum sunscreen 50 (TPF50) is more effective than traditional sunscreens in preventing sun damage to the skin and nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Results of a new study suggest that a drug commonly prescribed to patients with cancer - including advanced melanoma - can halt the progress of the disease for up to two years.

A new study suggests that in addition to potentially causing tumor-inducing DNA mutations, repetitive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause skin melanoma to metastasize.

Educational video how-tos may prompt older men to monitor their skin either through self-examinations or clinical skin exams, thereby increasing earlier skin cancer diagnoses, according to the results of two new studies.

Common diseases can present in unusual ways, so treatment-resistant fungal infections on the skin should be biopsied, as these infections can mimic or coexist with malignancies, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Dermatology Association.

Dermatologists and other medical specialists around the world who treat patients with actinic keratoses (AKs or solar keratoses) will soon be able to refer to new evidence-based (S3) guidelines for management.

Though half of melanoma patients with the BRAF mutation respond positively to treatment with BRAF inhibitors, most develop resistance to the drugs and experience disease progression. A new study suggests a drug used to treat malaria may help to block the pathway that causes this BRAF inhibitor resistance.

Performing sentinel lymph node biopsies on melanoma patients can significantly prolong a patient's disease-free life by early detection of metastasis, according to a recent study.

Using educational videos focused on premature aging caused by sun exposure was more likely to improve teens’ sunscreen use than videos focused on skin cancer risk, a recent study suggests.

Noninvasive, nonscarring treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) could be on the horizon.

Cryotherapy may be more effective than CO2 laser ablation in treatment of actinic keratosis (AKs) on the face and scalp, according to a recent study.

Drinking alcohol regularly may increase risk of developing melanoma by up to 55 percent, according to a new study.

To document the value of melanoma screening, researchers in the United States continue to refine screening strategies, an expert says.

Treatment for metastatic melanoma has begun a dramatic renaissance with the development of novel immunotherapy strategies and targeted therapeutic approaches.

The commercialization of ingenol mebutate (Picato, LEO Pharma) a medication that is currently approved in the United States and many other countries for the treatment of actinic keratosis, is an example of how enthusiasm and commitment can drive innovation, a LEO Pharma general manager says.

At the MauiDerm 2014 meeting, conference organizer George Martin, M.D., shared five clinical pearls for treating facial actinic keratosis (AK).

In an effort to learn more about patients’ experiences with advanced basal cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma nevus syndrome, researchers have developed two new questionnaires to evaluate and assess the effects of the diseases.

Dermoscopy can be a useful and reliable tool to differentiate between superficial basal cell carcinoma and other basal cell carcinoma subtypes, according to a recent study.

There are more tanning facilities than McDonald’s restaurants in the state of Florida, according to recent research.

While government funds for research in dermatology and other medical specialties seems to be dwindling, there are forces at work that could help to pick up at least part of the slack.

A new tumor staging system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) has recently been put forward that, according to one recent study, improves prognostic discrimination by more precisely defining the small subset of tumors with a high risk of metastatic and death.

Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) share a similar histological picture. But unlike AFX, UPS can have an aggressive clinical course, underscoring the importance of initial accurate diagnosis of these tumors, and the implementation of appropriate therapy.

Researchers may have found a new technique for identifying suspicious-looking moles: crowdsourcing.

A team of dermatologists is beta testing a website designed as a tool to provide early detection of skin cancer.

A new study suggests that topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) may increase the risk of morpheaform basal cell carcinoma (mBCC) in patients with previous skin cancers.

A newly launched diagnostic test by Myriad Genetics can differentiate malignant melanoma from benign skin lesions.

A brief, online skin cancer course improved the diagnostic skills of primary care physicians, without impacting dermatology referrals, a recent study suggests.