News

On Oct. 15, 2008, the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) sponsored a comorbidities conference in Bethesda, Md. This event was the first of what is projected to be a multi-year series of meetings that aim to explore our knowledge base of comorbid states that exist in association with skin disease.

Dr. Pigment has a very large and very busy practice. He often sees up to 100 patients every day. He is known as an expert in the evaluation and treatment of pigmented lesions.

Soeborg, Denmark - The financial failure of Artes Medical, maker of the permanent facial filler ArteFill (polymethylmethacrylate, purified bovine collagen) hasn't totally dampened the market for such products.

National report - Dermatology has lost an icon.

National report - The bankruptcy of Artes Medical, maker of the permanent facial filler ArteFill, will make it harder for permanent fillers to enter the U.S. market in the future, analysts say - although one such product, Contura's Aquamid, will likely seek Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2009.

National report - Pfizer and Wyeth announced a $68 billion megamerger, which will slash their combined 128,000 work force by 19,000 jobs, according to the New York Times.

After an historic turnout for a Barack Obama landslide victory and a stronger democratic majority in both the house and senate, the table is set to allow the democrats to make every attempt to address the issues facing our country.

Chicago - Ipsen says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending the initial drug review for Reloxin (botulinum toxin type A) to April 13, 2009, Reuters reports.

Hayward, Calif. - Thermage has announced a corporate name change to Solta Medical, Inc., as a means of integrating the acquired Reliant Technologies, according to a press release.

World report - Sinclair Pharma, based in the U.K., has signed an agreement to sell U.S. distribution rights for Atopiclair cream and lotion, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, to U.S.-based Graceway.

Irvine, Calif. - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution)0.03 percent for the treatment of eyelash hypotrichosis, according to Allergan.

Norfolk, Va. - Researchers at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Va., are gearing up to begin work on a $1.6 million study to learn how tiny pulses of electricity can reduce wound-related infections and accelerate the healing process.

Dermatology Times has launched a new practice management blog on our Web site at www.dermatologytimes.com.

New York - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has held off making a decision on the psoriasis drug ustekinumab (Johnson & Johnson), until they receive certain risk-mitigation information, but will not require new studies, Reuters reports.

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Brisbane, Australia Early results of animal studies suggest that a vaccine for some types of skin cancer in humans may be available in five to 10 years, according to Ian Frazer, M.D., an Australian scientist who helped develop the Gardasil (Merck) vaccine for cervical cancer.

"The past drives Bryna Kane, M.D., to make a difference for the future. "

The future of melanoma diagnosis will involve increasingly sophisticated devices such as multispectral digital dermoscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and perhaps optical frequency domain imaging, an expert says.

Miami - Being proactive is the best way to minimize the impact of the turbulent economy on a dermatology practice, experts say.

National report - In a troubled economy, the following prescriptions can help practices attract and retain patients, dermatologists say.

National report - When patients request discounts, dermatologists generally acquiesce - though they might later regret it, sources say.

National report - The precarious U.S. economy has slashed patient spending on Aesthetic treatments, and some dermatologists say medical bookings also have declined since the stock market plummeted in the closing months of 2008.

Washington - Dermatologists and manufacturers say dermal fillers are safe and effective, despite a recent recommendation by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel that labeling be revised to include stronger warnings about possible complications.

"The silver lining of the financial crisis of 2008, could be a united shift back to sound financial management, forcing business owners and consumers to make important financial decisions. "

Choosing the form and structure of one's medical practice is an important decision. Most advisers to medical practices believe that the avoidance of potential double taxation makes the S corporation the logical choice. This "conventional wisdom" overlooks the potential benefits a C corporation can offer.

"In July 2008, we were elated to learn that Congress had reversed the 10.6 percent cut in the Medicare conversion factor scheduled for the second half of that year. Even better, Congress added a 1.1 percent increase - in lieu of the mandated 15.1 percent cut - for 2009 in the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). "

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a very rare soft tissue tumor; however, if the diagnosis is missed, repercussions can be grave, reflected in a poor prognosis. Clinicians should be aware of the cutaneous variant and, although LMS is rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of obscure and ambiguous presenting tumors.

Experts agree that necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is challenging to treat. According to one expert, doctors should be suspicious of squamous cell carcinoma in nonhealing ulcers within NL lesions.

Psoriasis patients treated for many years with PUVA therapy may be more susceptible to develop cutaneous carcinomas, such as basal cell carcinoma, especially when combined with short regimens of cyclosporine A. Physicians who must turn to this combination regimen in therapy-resistant psoriasis patients should be aware of the possible increased risk for the development of skin cancers in these patients.