News

Graz, Austria - Though complete skin examination (CSE) by dermoscopy takes longer to conduct than CSE alone when screening for skin cancer, physicians should consider three-minute screening for the disease with either method, according to the results of a study reported by MedScape Today.

Houston - Data from a large cohort study shows that an elevated level of interleukin-12 is associated with a significantly increased mortality risk in patients with stage III melanoma with regional metastasis, according to MedPageToday.

San Rafael, Calif. - New research shows that workplace educational campaigns promoting self-examination and targeted screening for melanoma may significantly reduce melanoma mortality, HealthDay News reports.

Chicago - Recently released research shows that suntanning and indoor tanning beds remain popular among young people despite the many public service messages about the associated cancer hazards, MedPageToday reports.

Chapel Hill, N.C. - Melanomas on the scalp and neck have a worse prognosis than occurrences on other parts of the body, according to a study reported by HealthDay News.

New York - A new study reveals that large skin lesions are more likely than smaller ones to be melanoma, HealthDay News reports.

A phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled study shows remarkable efficacy of etanercept for treating pediatric psoriasis, bettering even those results observed in adults. The findings could help pave the way for Food and Drug Administration approval of the biologic, which could change the face of systemic treatment of psoriasis in children.

Newer biologics to treat psoriasis are currently in late stages of development, and promising data from phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials should give patients reason to hope. The biologics may be available as early as the end of 2008 or during 2009.

Dermatologist Susan Stuart, M.D., takes caring for patients to heart, and people in the majestic seaside community of La Jolla, Calif. have noticed.

As frequent speakers to physicians on asset protection and advanced planning, we are often asked about captive insurance companies (CICs).

In the span of a single lifetime, credit cards have evolved from their birth in the 1950s as a simple convenience for restaurant diners to one of the most potent forces within the American economy.

Tumescent local anesthesia is a safe and easy method of administering an effective anesthesia in surgical theaters and its popularity and indications are growing among surgeons.

In an era of costly lasers and high-tech cosmetic procedures, dermatologists shouldn't forget that the lowly disposable razor also can produce spectacular results, an expert says.

In the treatment of actinic keratoses, Peplin, a topical gel made from the sap of the Australian Euphorbia peplus, and cosmetic therapies show promise for preventing recurrences, but likely won't ever be front-line treatments. Meanwhile, the one treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration treatment that also offers cosmetic benefits, ALA-PDT, comes with coding issues that some say make it difficult for doctors to obtain reasonable compensation.

Dermatology Times asks two leading dermatologists whether sun exposure triggers melanoma.

New research indicates that topical imiquimod has potential for treating conditions ranging from Bowen's disease to leishmaniasis. Problems with inflammation and recurrences of conditions such as actinic keratosis, however, are still being investigated.

Vapitadine (Barrier Therapeutics) is an investigational oral antihistamine that belongs to a new structural class of H1-selective, nonsedating agents. Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in adults with atopic dermatitis demonstrated its efficacy for relieving itch and added to an existing database showing vapitadine has an excellent safety profile.

Photodynamic therapy is a safe, effective treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancers, according to an expert. Though the therapy is not yet approved for the treatment of skin cancer in the U.S., It has been accepted, approved, and recommended as a potential first-line of therapy for superficial basal cell carcinomas, and some superficial squamous cell carcinomas outside the U.S.

Researchers in the past have tried many different approaches to treating burn wounds and leg ulcers, including topical insulin, achieving mixed success. A recent study showed that the use of the right topical insulin could significantly speed up the wound healing process and wound closure.

A small study shows that diclofenac sodium gel could provide an effective treatment for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, although results so far suggest the drug may be better at preventing progression than clearing lesions, a study co-author says.

A recent study goes a long way toward validating two existing methods of calculating in vitro SPF protection, an expert who co-authored the study says.

Dermatologist Jean-Claude Bystryn, M.D., is used to seeing cases that most dermatologists consider rare, such as pemphigus, pemphigoid and superficial pemphigoid. But even Dr. Bystryn, professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, was reminded recently that not everything is as it appears.

When faced with unusual skin lesions, consult with colleagues, stay open to the possibility that a skin condition you are seeing may not be common and be open to trying innovative treatments, says James Spencer, M.D., of St. Petersburg, Fla.

The source of your patient's MRSA infection may be at the end of a leash, or cuddled up in his or her lap. Pets can be a source of multiple diseases, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus areus.

Isotretinoin is a potent therapy for treating acne, but the associated side effects and regulatory hurdles leave dermatologists increasingly reluctant to use it.

Are physician attitudes toward a universal healthcare system changing? The results of a survey recently released by the University of Indiana (UI) and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine seem to indicate that may be the case.

Dr. Derm, in practice for 20 years, has a large number of skin cancer patients in his practice. He is recognized as being one of the best oncologic dermatologists in his state.

Efforts are underway in Washington to find a solution to the crisis that threatens to impose a 10.6 percent Medicare cut on physicians beginning July 1, and then 15.6 percent in 2009.

Among the many advantages of being in private practice without ties to any particular establishment is that I can say just about anything without any concern for public ridicule or chastisement (private ridicule continues unabated).

Botulinum toxin A injections produce a measurable loss of force in both targeted and nearby nontargeted muscles, according to a recent small study.