Journal of Skin Cancer

Background. Patients with field cancerization will develop numerous superficial non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). Treating patients with field cancerization can be challenging and burdensome due to the numerous non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) they develop and the frequent dermatology visits required for biopsy and treatment. Objective. The success rate of diagnosing and treating lesions suspicious for NMSCs on the same day is measured, immediately after biopsy. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with same day lesion diagnosis and curettage treatment to determine diagnostic accuracy, treatment failure, and number needed to treat to reduce a follow-up treatment. Results. A total of 237 lesions underwent same day biopsy and treatment, of which the majority were NMSC (66%) or actinic keratosis (23%). Patients had at least 3 months and a median of 17 months follow-up. A total of 20 lesions either recurred or were deemed to require additional treatment. The number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one follow-up treatment was 1.3. Limitations: sample size limited ability to determine risk factors for treatment failure. Conclusion. Simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of superficial NMSCs is a successful way of improving efficiency and patient satisfaction.

Skin cancer has shown a sharp increase in prevalence over the past few decades and currently accounts for one-third of all cancers diagnosed. The most lethal form of skin cancer is melanoma, which develops in 4% of individuals. The rising prevalence and increased number of fatalities of skin cancer put a significant burden on healthcare resources and the economy. However, early detection and treatment greatly improve survival rates for patients with skin cancer. Since the rising rates of both the incidence and mortality have been particularly noticeable with melanoma, significant resources have been allocated to research aimed at earlier diagnosis and a deeper knowledge of the disease. Dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, optical coherence tomography, multiphoton-excited fluorescence imaging, and dermatofluorescence are only a few of the optical modalities reviewed here that have been employed to enhance noninvasive diagnosis of skin cancer in recent years. This review article discusses the methodology behind newly emerging noninvasive optical diagnostic technologies, their clinical applications, and advantages and disadvantages of these techniques, as well as the potential for their further advancement in the future.

Aims. In chronic osteomyelitis-derived squamous cell carcinoma, what are the demographic and clinical variables, risk factors associated with worse outcomes, and results of treatment modalities used? Methods. A systematic review was performed using PubMed and EMBASE. Articles were evaluated for inclusion and exclusion criteria, and for quality analysis. PRISMA guidelines were applied. Demographic and clinical data and therapeutic approaches were presented narratively and in descriptive statistics registered at PROSPERO. Results. Most patients were male (40/49), trauma was the most common etiology (27/36), and about half of all SCC were in the tibia (25/48). Amputation was the main definitive treatment (42/47). Adjuvant treatments were not analyzed. Well-differentiated SCC accounted for 58.3% (21/36) of all tumors. Bone invasion was described in 82.8% (24/29); recurrence, in 7.7% (3/39); and metastasis, in 7.7% (3/39). Recurrence and metastasis occurred more frequently when bone invasion was present ( and , respectively). SCC with lymph node involvement showed a higher tendency to metastasize (). Compared with limb salvage, amputation was associated with a tendency for less recurrence () and longer survival (). Conclusions. COM-derived SCC mostly occurs after trauma and is usually located in the tibia. Bone invasion is common, and patients predominantly undergo amputation. This treatment is associated with a trend toward higher survival, compared to limb salvage.

Objectives. To investigate the histopathological characteristics of cutaneous melanoma in Isfahan from 2013 to 2018, according to histopathological subtype, lesions location, Clark level, and Breslow thickness. Methods. A descriptive, retrospective study in reports of Alzahra Hospital and Dr. Rajabi Pathology Laboratory in Isfahan. Results. In total, 45 patients were included in this study. The most prevalent histopathological subtype was acral lentiginous melanoma (48.89%), followed by lentigo maligna melanoma (17.78%), nodular melanoma (11.11%), and superficial spreading melanoma (8.89%). Most malignant lesions were on the foot and toes (31.1%) and face (24.4%). Tumor invasion level was mainly at Clark level IV (42.2%). Furthermore, the mean depth of tumor penetration (Breslow thickness) was 3.87 ± 3.35. Conclusions. Our study revealed the characteristics of melanoma in the Iranian population. Our results showed a similar trend with previous studies in the Asian population. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the role of ethnic and environmental risk factors for developing melanoma in different populations.

Context. Keratinocyte carcinomas are the most common malignant condition in Caucasian populations. African albinos have hypomelanized sensitive skin that is quite susceptible to photocarcinogenesis. Of the keratinocyte carcinomas, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been found more frequent in pigmented Africans, while basal cell carcinoma (BCC) predominates in Caucasians. While some studies report a preponderance of SCC over BCC in African albinos, congruent with the situation in pigmented Africans, other reports have found BCCs to be more frequent and consistent with the pattern in Caucasians. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of cutaneous SCC and BCC in all histologically confirmed skin cancer lesions in African albinos.The following five databases are as follows: African Journals Online (AJOL), PubMed, Europe PMC, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles. Study Selection: included studies were case series and cross-sectional studies of histologically confirmed skin cancers in African albinos. Data extraction and synthesis: data extraction and synthesis was informed by the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology guideline. By random effect meta-analysis, we calculated the pooled prevalence of SCC and BCC in skin cancer lesions of the African albinos. Result. We abstracted 695 skin cancer lesions from 540 African albinos (275 male and 241 female albinos with sex not stated in 24 subjects). There were 419 SCCs and 249 BCCs. By meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of SCC is 64% (95% CI; 50–77%). The prevalence for BCC is 31% (95% CI; 19–45%). Conclusion. Overall, squamous cell carcinoma is the predominant type of keratinocyte carcinoma reported in African albinos. SCC is preponderant in case series of surgical excision biopsies while BCC predominates in studies reporting on albino skin surveillance programmes.

Public access to genetic information is increasing, and community dermatologists may progressively encounter patients interested in genetic testing for melanoma risk. Clarifying potential utility will help plan for this inevitability. We determined interest and uptake of genetic risk feedback based on melanocortin receptor gene (MC1R) variants, immediate (two weeks) responses to risk feedback, and test utility at three months in patients (age ≥ 18, with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer). Participants (N = 50) completed a baseline survey and were invited to consider MC1R testing via the study website. Testing interest and uptake were assessed through registration of test decision, request of a saliva test kit, and kit return (all yes/no). Immediate responses to risk feedback included feedback-relevant thoughts, emotions, communication, and information seeking after result receipt; test utility outcomes included family and physician communication and information seeking. Results indicated good retention at both time points (76%; 74%). Half (48%) logged onto the study website, and of these, most (92%) chose testing and (95%) returned a saliva sample. After two weeks, most (94%) had read all the risk feedback information and distress was low (M = 8.81, 7–28, SD = 2.23). Many (69%) had talked with their family about the results. By three months, most had spoken with family (92%) and physicians (80%) about skin cancer risk. Physician communication was higher (70%) in those tested versus those not tested (40%, ). The substantial interest and promising outcomes associated with MC1R genetic testing in dermatology patients inform intervention strategies to enhance benefits and minimize risks of skin cancer genetic testing.