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Journal of Skin Cancer publishes clinical and translational research on the detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of skin malignancies.
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Journal of Skin Cancer maintains an Editorial Board of practicing researchers from around the world, to ensure manuscripts are handled by editors who are experts in the field of study.
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More articlesKnowledge, Attitude, and Practice toward Skin Cancer among Patients of Dermatology Clinics and Medical Students/General Practitioners
This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding skin cancer among dermatology clinic patients, medical students, and general practitioners (GPs) in Tehran, Iran. The researchers collected data using a validated questionnaire administered online, measuring KAP on scales of 0–31, 0–16, and 0–28, respectively, with scores above 16, 8, and 14 indicating “good” levels. Of 2243 participants (mean age 28 years), 59.4% had good knowledge, 19.8% had good attitudes, 31.8% had good practices, and 29.8% had good overall KAP. Medical students/GPs scored higher on knowledge and attitudes, while patients scored better on practices. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices were positively correlated in professionals but inversely correlated in patients. The findings suggest that while knowledge was moderate, attitudes and behaviors remained poor, particularly among patients. Immediate interventions are needed to improve attitudes and prevention practices, as public health initiatives must focus on positively influencing both to translate knowledge into meaningful action and find the reasons why good knowledge may not always lead to good practice. These findings underline the need for targeted interventions to bridge the gap between knowledge and preventive behaviors, to effectively reduce the burden of skin cancer in the population.
Comparative Analysis of US Guidelines for the Management of Cutaneous Squamous Cell and Basal Cell Carcinoma
Background. This study presents a comparative analysis of recently published guidelines to manage cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (cBCC) within the United States (US). Methods. A PubMed database search was performed for the time period between June 1, 2016, and December 1, 2022. A comprehensive comparison was performed in the following clinical interest areas: staging and risk stratification, management of primary tumor and regional nodes with curative intent, and palliative treatment. Results. Guidelines from 3 organizations were analyzed: the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). The guidelines used different methodologies to grade evidence, making comparison difficult. There was agreement that surgery is the preferred treatment for curative cBCC and cSCC. For patients ineligible for surgery, there was a consensus to recommend definitive radiation. AAD and NCCN recommended consideration of other topical modalities in selected low-risk cBCC. Postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) was uniformly recommended in patients with positive margins that could not be cleared with surgery and in patients with nerve invasion. The definition and extent of nerve invasion varied. All guidelines recommended surgery as the primary treatment in patients with lymph node metastases in a curative setting. The criteria used for PORT varied; NCCN and ASTRO used lymph node size, number of nodes, and extracapsular extension for recommending PORT. Both NCCN and ASTRO recommend consideration of systemic treatment along with PORT in patients with extracapsular extension. Conclusion: US guidelines provide contemporary and complementary information on the management of cBCC and cSCC. There are opportunities for research, particularly in the areas of staging, indications for adjuvant treatment in curative settings, extent of nerve invasion and prognosis, and the role of systemic treatments in curative and palliative settings.
Indoor Tanning among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Adults: Results from the 2020 Pennsylvania LGBT Health Needs Assessment
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations include individuals whose sexual orientation, gender identity, or reproductive development is characterized by nonbinary sexual constructs (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals). Previous research suggests that some SGM populations have higher rates of skin cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of diverse SGM identities with indoor tanning, a risk factor for skin cancer, while exploring other relevant co-occurring risk factors. A secondary analysis was performed on the 2020 LGBT Health Needs Assessment collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Measures included sexual orientation, gender identity, healthcare utilization, and cancer risk factors. Cisgender SGM men are more likely to use indoor tanning devices (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.31–2.44) compared to other SGM subpopulations independent of sexual orientation. Indoor tanning was also associated with alcohol (aOR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.50–2.51) and tobacco use (aOR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.21–2.21). Findings suggest that targeted screening for skin cancer risk behaviors could accompany standard tobacco and alcohol screenings in clinical practice.
Same Day Biopsy and Treatment of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Patients with Field Cancerization: A Retrospective Chart Study
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.
Developments and Clinical Applications of Noninvasive Optical Technologies for Skin Cancer Diagnosis
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.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from Chronic Osteomyelitis in the Extremities: Treatment Approach and Oncological Outcomes—A Systematic Review of the Literature
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.