Sentinel lymph node biopsy status is not the most powerful predictor of prognosis in cutaneous melanoma

Abstract

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) status has been advocated in several recently published articles as the single most valuable prognostic marker for melanoma, and of greater prognostic importance than more established parameters such as Breslow thickness. A careful examination of the evidence for these claims, however, indicates that they are not substantiated by the available data, are somewhat misleading and suggest misinterpretation of the statistical analysis of the papers to which they refer. We will examine the basis for these claims and show why they are invalid.

http://ift.tt/2lbadNT

Chemical peels: A review of current practice

Abstract

Chemical peels belong to a group of cutaneous resurfacing procedures that are used in the treatment of photoageing, inflammatory dermatoses, epidermal proliferations, pigmentary disorders and scarring. This review describes best current practice, highlights recent advances in chemical peel technology and discusses the recommended uses for different peel types. It also presents the results of a survey of the chemical peeling practices of 30 Australian dermatologists.

http://ift.tt/2y1ol2q

High-risk squamous cell carcinoma masquerading as dense inflammation on Mohs frozen sections

Abstract

High-risk squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can present a unique challenge in Mohs surgery. This case report describes how high-risk SCC may masquerade as only a dense inflammation on frozen sections. This feature should raise the index of suspicion for hidden SCC and be a routine indication for further processing by paraffin sections and immunohistochemistry.

http://ift.tt/2lbJ9ye

UK multicentre audit of the management of eczema in children

http://ift.tt/2z36aJU

Maxillary Sinus Kaposi Sarcoma: Case Report in an HIV-Negative Patient with Thymoma

Introduction. Kaposi sarcoma is an angioproliferative disorder that requires infection with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) for its development. The majority of cases are associated with HIV infection or other immunocompromising conditions. Thymomas are occasionally associated to cytopenia, which may alter the patients' immune responses. Methods. Case report using clinical records. Results. Case report of a 46-year-old male patient diagnosed with thymoma and myasthenia gravis. The patient was referred to an otolaryngology consultation with complaints of facial pain in the right malar region, interpreted as an acute sinusitis. Following examination, an expansive maxillary sinus mass was found, and endoscopic surgery was undertaken. After careful investigation, it was diagnosed as a Kaposi sarcoma. Conclusions. It is thought to be the first described case of a maxillary sinus Kaposi sarcoma in an HIV-negative patient. Thus, this entity has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of sinus masses, even in non-HIV patients.

http://ift.tt/2yEMFqn

Invasive squamous cell carcinoma: comparison of differentiation grade and tumour depth by anatomical site in 1666 tumours

Summary

Background

Invasive squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) presents with different grades of differentiation and depths of invasion.

Aim

To compare the grade of differentiation, tumour diameter and tumour depth by anatomical site in invasive SCC.

Methods

Retrospective clinical and histopathological data on consecutive cases of SCC came from a clinic in Sydney, Australia were assessed. A multinomial logistic regression model was applied to compare grades of differentiation by age, sex, anatomical sites, and histological tumour maximum diameter and depth.

Results

In total, 1666 SCCs were identified, including 82.1% (n = 1367) well-differentiated, 13.3% (n = 222), moderately differentiated and 4.6% (n = 77) poorly differentiated SCCs. Patients with poorly differentiated tumours were more likely to be older and male (both P < 0.001). The most common site for poor differentiation was the scalp in men (n = 12; 15.6%) and the cheek or chin in women (n = 7; 9.1%). In the multivariate model, compared with well-differentiated SCC, older age was significantly associated with poorly and moderately differentiated SCC (P < 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). Larger tumour diameters were related to poor differentiation (P = 0.03). Ear, forehead and chest sites had increased tumour depth and poor differentiation.

Conclusions

This study found increased rates of poorly differentiated SCC on the forehead and cheek for both sexes, while men displayed increased rates of poorly differentiated SCC on the bald scalp and the ears. Tumour diameter and depth increased as tumours varied from well-differentiated to moderately differentiated and from moderately differentiated to poorly differentiated. An increase in depth and increased prevalence of poorly differentiated tumours were found on the ears for men and on various facial sites for both sexes.

http://ift.tt/2y2Zp5G

In chronic spontaneous urticaria, high numbers of dermal endothelial cells, but not mast cells, are linked to recurrent angio-oedema

Summary

Background

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by recurrent weals, angio-oedema or both. Recent studies have shown that the number of endothelial cells is increased in the skin of patients with CSU, but the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of this are unclear.

Aim

To evaluate whether mast cell (MC) or endothelial cell (EC) numbers correlate with CSU and whether they are relevant for disease duration, disease activity or the presence of clinical features.

Methods

We determined the numbers of CD31+ ECs and MCs in nonlesional skin of 30 patients with CSU using quantitative histomorphometry, and assessed their correlation with each other and with clinical features such as disease duration, disease activity and occurrence of angio-oedema.

Results

The numbers of MCs and ECs were high in the nonlesional skin of patients with CSU, but did not correlate with each other. Neither MC number nor EC number correlated with disease duration or disease activity. Interestingly, patients with high numbers of cutaneous CD31+ ECs had higher rates of recurrent angio-oedema and vice versa.

Conclusions

Based on these findings, we speculate that vascular remodelling and MC hyperplasia in patients with CSU occurs independently and via different mechanisms. Targeting of the mechanisms that drive neoangiogenesis in CSU may result in novel therapeutic strategies for the management of patients with angio-oedema.

http://ift.tt/2yKR3U5