Skin Cancer

Today’s SRT technology embodies very small, stable machines. Radiation leaks are not longer a concern. The SRT-100 System serves both an important medical and cosmetic role.

About one third of the more than 118,000 people who received free skin cancer screenings from the AAD’s SPOTme program in 2009 and 2010 indicated they had recently seen a change in the size, shape or color of a mole.

Melanoma rates continue to rise, especially thin lesions which represents the largest group of fatalities. Gene expression profile tests can help diagnose or predict melanoma and are easy to use. But many dermatologists do not follow recommended treatment guidelines, which indicates a need to either educate practitioners or rethink the guidelines.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are providing rapid and durable responses for patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.

Newer tools to help diagnose challenging lesions include combined immunohistochemical stains and a growing array of genetic tests, one of which has shown the potential to gauge metastatic risk.

Melanoma’s burden is increasing and the rising rates cannot simply be attributed to increased disease detection, according to a research letter published last month in JAMA Dermatology.

The incidence of melanoma appears to be on the rise except for that observed in the younger population, underscoring a positive trend and hope for the fight against skin cancer.

Despite increased insight on skin cancer risk factors, the incidence continues to rise worldwide. This review article summarizes new treatment options available, which help to redefine and expand the diagnosis of advanced BCC and allow dermatologists to offer more effective therapy to a broader population.

Experts discuss diagnosis and management of pediatric melanoma, including the latest developments in genetic tools and indications for sentinel lymph node biopsy.

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 and CeraVe Sunscreen SPF 50 for Face (both by Valeant Pharmaceuticals) have been awarded Skin Cancer Foundation seals.

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.