Actinic Keratosis

An expert panel of seven dermatologists has generated recommendations to aid clinicians in prescribing topical treatments for actinic keratoses. Dr. Eggert Stockfleth and his colleagues acknowledged that patient compliance with topical AK therapy remains a challenge.

Their recommendations included the need to develop topical treatments with shorter duration but equal effectiveness, to keep regimens as simple as possible, and to manage patient expectations.“Our experts believe that real-world efficacy could be vastly improved by shorter treatments coupled with effective patient management,” they noted.Read the full article in the International Journal of Dermatology (doi:10.1111/ijd.12840).

An expert panel of seven dermatologists has generated recommendations to aid clinicians in prescribing topical treatments for actinic keratoses. Dr. Eggert Stockfleth and his colleagues acknowledged that patient compliance with topical AK therapy remains a challenge.

Their recommendations included the need to develop topical treatments with shorter duration but equal effectiveness, to keep regimens as simple as possible, and to manage patient expectations.“Our experts believe that real-world efficacy could be vastly improved by shorter treatments coupled with effective patient management,” they noted.Read the full article in the International Journal of Dermatology (doi:10.1111/ijd.12840).

An expert panel of seven dermatologists has generated recommendations to aid clinicians in prescribing topical treatments for actinic keratoses. Dr. Eggert Stockfleth and his colleagues acknowledged that patient compliance with topical AK therapy remains a challenge.

Their recommendations included the need to develop topical treatments with shorter duration but equal effectiveness, to keep regimens as simple as possible, and to manage patient expectations.“Our experts believe that real-world efficacy could be vastly improved by shorter treatments coupled with effective patient management,” they noted.Read the full article in the International Journal of Dermatology (doi:10.1111/ijd.12840).

The incidence of melanoma among American children and teens decreased by approximately 12% from 2004 to 2010, with the decline most notable for adolescents. The findings were published online in the Journal of Pediatrics.

In a review of data from the period of 2000-2010, Dr. Laura Campbell of Stanford (Calif.) University and her colleagues at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland found an overall reduction in melanoma diagnoses of 11.58% per year for the period of 2004-2010 (J. Pediatr. 2015 [doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds. 2015.02.050]).

The study was conducted at Case Western Reserve University, and the researchers used the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER-18) registry to examine trends in the incidence of pediatric melanoma.

Of note, the number of new melanoma cases decreased significantly (approximately 11%) among 15- to19-year-olds between 2003 and 2010. In addition, the overall incidence of melanoma decreased significantly (7%) among boys between 2000 and 2010.

The data revealed significant decreases for the number of new cases of melanoma on the trunk (15% per year from 2004 to 2010) and upper extremities (5% from 2000 to 2010).

Dr. Campbell and her colleagues determined that a melanoma diagnosis was equally likely for male and female patients, and was more common in older than in younger patients. White patients had by far the greatest incidence of melanoma, with 97% of the overall diagnoses; 90% of the cases were in non-Hispanic whites. Superficial spreading melanoma was the most common type of melanoma, at 31%, though nodular histology was seen almost as frequently in the 0- to 9-year-olds. This younger group was more likely to have thicker tumors, ulceration, lymph node involvement, and distant metastases.

Drawing on this large registry allowed researchers more confidence that they were identifying true trends in melanoma incidence, Dr. Campbell noted.

The reasons for this decrease, which stands in contrast to earlier data showing increased incidence rates of pediatric melanoma, were not examined in this study. However, Dr. Campbell drew on these earlier studies, as well as some international studies, to identify the potential contribution of public health campaigns advocating sun protection. These campaigns began in the 1990s in the United States, and would have benefited the 15- to 19-year olds in the SEER-18 data, in whom melanoma incidence decreased beginning in 2003. Some Swedish and Australian studies showing decreased melanoma cases were confounded by an immigration-driven decrease in the highest risk light-skinned population, noted Dr. Campbell; however, the quality of the SEER-18 data allowed researchers to account for this variable, she said.

Although the widespread adoption of sun-protective behaviors (wearing hats and protective clothing, using sunscreen appropriately, and avoiding midday sun exposure) may have accounted for some of the reduction in pediatric melanomas, other societal changes may have been at play.

“We hypothesize that there has been a shift in youth participating increasingly in indoor activities, such as television/electronic devices, which may be decreasing their UVR exposure,” Dr. Campbell said.

The incidence of melanoma among American children and teens decreased by approximately 12% from 2004 to 2010, with the decline most notable for adolescents. The findings were published online in the Journal of Pediatrics.

In a review of data from the period of 2000-2010, Dr. Laura Campbell of Stanford (Calif.) University and her colleagues at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland found an overall reduction in melanoma diagnoses of 11.58% per year for the period of 2004-2010 (J. Pediatr. 2015 [doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds. 2015.02.050]).

The study was conducted at Case Western Reserve University, and the researchers used the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER-18) registry to examine trends in the incidence of pediatric melanoma.

Of note, the number of new melanoma cases decreased significantly (approximately 11%) among 15- to19-year-olds between 2003 and 2010. In addition, the overall incidence of melanoma decreased significantly (7%) among boys between 2000 and 2010.

The data revealed significant decreases for the number of new cases of melanoma on the trunk (15% per year from 2004 to 2010) and upper extremities (5% from 2000 to 2010).

Dr. Campbell and her colleagues determined that a melanoma diagnosis was equally likely for male and female patients, and was more common in older than in younger patients. White patients had by far the greatest incidence of melanoma, with 97% of the overall diagnoses; 90% of the cases were in non-Hispanic whites. Superficial spreading melanoma was the most common type of melanoma, at 31%, though nodular histology was seen almost as frequently in the 0- to 9-year-olds. This younger group was more likely to have thicker tumors, ulceration, lymph node involvement, and distant metastases.

Drawing on this large registry allowed researchers more confidence that they were identifying true trends in melanoma incidence, Dr. Campbell noted.

The reasons for this decrease, which stands in contrast to earlier data showing increased incidence rates of pediatric melanoma, were not examined in this study. However, Dr. Campbell drew on these earlier studies, as well as some international studies, to identify the potential contribution of public health campaigns advocating sun protection. These campaigns began in the 1990s in the United States, and would have benefited the 15- to 19-year olds in the SEER-18 data, in whom melanoma incidence decreased beginning in 2003. Some Swedish and Australian studies showing decreased melanoma cases were confounded by an immigration-driven decrease in the highest risk light-skinned population, noted Dr. Campbell; however, the quality of the SEER-18 data allowed researchers to account for this variable, she said.

Although the widespread adoption of sun-protective behaviors (wearing hats and protective clothing, using sunscreen appropriately, and avoiding midday sun exposure) may have accounted for some of the reduction in pediatric melanomas, other societal changes may have been at play.

“We hypothesize that there has been a shift in youth participating increasingly in indoor activities, such as television/electronic devices, which may be decreasing their UVR exposure,” Dr. Campbell said.

The incidence of melanoma among American children and teens decreased by approximately 12% from 2004 to 2010, with the decline most notable for adolescents. The findings were published online in the Journal of Pediatrics.

In a review of data from the period of 2000-2010, Dr. Laura Campbell of Stanford (Calif.) University and her colleagues at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland found an overall reduction in melanoma diagnoses of 11.58% per year for the period of 2004-2010 (J. Pediatr. 2015 [doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds. 2015.02.050]).

The study was conducted at Case Western Reserve University, and the researchers used the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER-18) registry to examine trends in the incidence of pediatric melanoma.

Of note, the number of new melanoma cases decreased significantly (approximately 11%) among 15- to19-year-olds between 2003 and 2010. In addition, the overall incidence of melanoma decreased significantly (7%) among boys between 2000 and 2010.

The data revealed significant decreases for the number of new cases of melanoma on the trunk (15% per year from 2004 to 2010) and upper extremities (5% from 2000 to 2010).

Dr. Campbell and her colleagues determined that a melanoma diagnosis was equally likely for male and female patients, and was more common in older than in younger patients. White patients had by far the greatest incidence of melanoma, with 97% of the overall diagnoses; 90% of the cases were in non-Hispanic whites. Superficial spreading melanoma was the most common type of melanoma, at 31%, though nodular histology was seen almost as frequently in the 0- to 9-year-olds. This younger group was more likely to have thicker tumors, ulceration, lymph node involvement, and distant metastases.

Drawing on this large registry allowed researchers more confidence that they were identifying true trends in melanoma incidence, Dr. Campbell noted.

The reasons for this decrease, which stands in contrast to earlier data showing increased incidence rates of pediatric melanoma, were not examined in this study. However, Dr. Campbell drew on these earlier studies, as well as some international studies, to identify the potential contribution of public health campaigns advocating sun protection. These campaigns began in the 1990s in the United States, and would have benefited the 15- to 19-year olds in the SEER-18 data, in whom melanoma incidence decreased beginning in 2003. Some Swedish and Australian studies showing decreased melanoma cases were confounded by an immigration-driven decrease in the highest risk light-skinned population, noted Dr. Campbell; however, the quality of the SEER-18 data allowed researchers to account for this variable, she said.

Although the widespread adoption of sun-protective behaviors (wearing hats and protective clothing, using sunscreen appropriately, and avoiding midday sun exposure) may have accounted for some of the reduction in pediatric melanomas, other societal changes may have been at play.

“We hypothesize that there has been a shift in youth participating increasingly in indoor activities, such as television/electronic devices, which may be decreasing their UVR exposure,” Dr. Campbell said.

SAN FRANCISCO – Voriconazole increased the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 73% in a review of 455 lung transplant patients at the University of California, San Francisco.

The increase was for any exposure to the drug after transplant (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.73; P = .03). The investigators also found that each additional 30-day exposure at 200 mg of voriconazole twice daily increased the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by 3.0% (HR, 1.03; P < .001). The results were adjusted for age at transplant, sex, and race. Overall, SCC risk was highest among white men aged 50 years or older at the time of transplant.

Although voriconazole did protect against posttransplant Aspergillus colonization (aHR, 0.50; P < .001), it did not reduce the risk of invasive aspergillosis. The drug reduced all-cause mortality only among colonized subjects (aHR, 0.34; P = .03), and offered no mortality benefit among those who were not colonized.

There was no difference in all-cause mortality between patients who had any exposure to voriconazole and those who did not, “but we actually found a 2% increased risk of death for each 1 month on the medication. Patients who weren’t colonized were the ones contributing to this increased risk of death,” said lead investigator Matthew Mansh, now a medical student at Stanford (Calif.) University.

There was no increased risk of SCC with alternative antifungals, including inhaled amphotericin and posaconazole. These alternatives should be considered instead of voriconazole in people at higher risk for skin cancer after lung transplants, according to the study, Mr. Mansh noted.

Voriconazole, which is widely used for antifungal prophylaxis after solid organ transplants, has been linked to skin cancer. The reason for the carcinogenic effect is not known; researchers are working to unravel the molecular mechanisms.

“Physicians should be cautious when using voriconazole in the care of transplant recipients. If you see a patient who is developing phototoxicity” with voriconazole, “and if they don’t have evidence of Aspergillus colonization, you may want to limit exposure to high doses of this drug or suggest an alternative,” Mr. Mansh said.

“We have now demonstrated that the alternatives “don’t carry this increased risk of cutaneous SCC,” Mr. Mansh said at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting.

The mean age of the study patients at transplant was 52 years, and the majority of patients were white; slightly more than half were men. Most had bilateral lung transplants, with pulmonary fibrosis at the leading indication.

Voriconazole was used in 85% of the patients for an average of 10 months. A quarter of voriconazole patients developed SCC within 5 years of transplant, and 43% within 10 years. Among patients who did not receive the drug, 15% developed SCC within 5 years of transplant, and 28% developed SCC within 10 years of transplant.

“The benefit of voriconazole in terms of death was limited to patients with evidence of Aspergillus colonization, and it wasn’t dose dependent. Patients who had a higher cumulative exposure did not get more benefit,” Mr. Mansh said.

Mr. Mansh had no relevant disclosures.

[email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO – Voriconazole increased the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 73% in a review of 455 lung transplant patients at the University of California, San Francisco.

The increase was for any exposure to the drug after transplant (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.73; P = .03). The investigators also found that each additional 30-day exposure at 200 mg of voriconazole twice daily increased the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by 3.0% (HR, 1.03; P < .001). The results were adjusted for age at transplant, sex, and race. Overall, SCC risk was highest among white men aged 50 years or older at the time of transplant.

Although voriconazole did protect against posttransplant Aspergillus colonization (aHR, 0.50; P < .001), it did not reduce the risk of invasive aspergillosis. The drug reduced all-cause mortality only among colonized subjects (aHR, 0.34; P = .03), and offered no mortality benefit among those who were not colonized.

There was no difference in all-cause mortality between patients who had any exposure to voriconazole and those who did not, “but we actually found a 2% increased risk of death for each 1 month on the medication. Patients who weren’t colonized were the ones contributing to this increased risk of death,” said lead investigator Matthew Mansh, now a medical student at Stanford (Calif.) University.

There was no increased risk of SCC with alternative antifungals, including inhaled amphotericin and posaconazole. These alternatives should be considered instead of voriconazole in people at higher risk for skin cancer after lung transplants, according to the study, Mr. Mansh noted.

Voriconazole, which is widely used for antifungal prophylaxis after solid organ transplants, has been linked to skin cancer. The reason for the carcinogenic effect is not known; researchers are working to unravel the molecular mechanisms.

“Physicians should be cautious when using voriconazole in the care of transplant recipients. If you see a patient who is developing phototoxicity” with voriconazole, “and if they don’t have evidence of Aspergillus colonization, you may want to limit exposure to high doses of this drug or suggest an alternative,” Mr. Mansh said.

“We have now demonstrated that the alternatives “don’t carry this increased risk of cutaneous SCC,” Mr. Mansh said at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting.

The mean age of the study patients at transplant was 52 years, and the majority of patients were white; slightly more than half were men. Most had bilateral lung transplants, with pulmonary fibrosis at the leading indication.

Voriconazole was used in 85% of the patients for an average of 10 months. A quarter of voriconazole patients developed SCC within 5 years of transplant, and 43% within 10 years. Among patients who did not receive the drug, 15% developed SCC within 5 years of transplant, and 28% developed SCC within 10 years of transplant.

“The benefit of voriconazole in terms of death was limited to patients with evidence of Aspergillus colonization, and it wasn’t dose dependent. Patients who had a higher cumulative exposure did not get more benefit,” Mr. Mansh said.

Mr. Mansh had no relevant disclosures.

[email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO – Voriconazole increased the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 73% in a review of 455 lung transplant patients at the University of California, San Francisco.

The increase was for any exposure to the drug after transplant (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.73; P = .03). The investigators also found that each additional 30-day exposure at 200 mg of voriconazole twice daily increased the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by 3.0% (HR, 1.03; P < .001). The results were adjusted for age at transplant, sex, and race. Overall, SCC risk was highest among white men aged 50 years or older at the time of transplant.

Although voriconazole did protect against posttransplant Aspergillus colonization (aHR, 0.50; P < .001), it did not reduce the risk of invasive aspergillosis. The drug reduced all-cause mortality only among colonized subjects (aHR, 0.34; P = .03), and offered no mortality benefit among those who were not colonized.

There was no difference in all-cause mortality between patients who had any exposure to voriconazole and those who did not, “but we actually found a 2% increased risk of death for each 1 month on the medication. Patients who weren’t colonized were the ones contributing to this increased risk of death,” said lead investigator Matthew Mansh, now a medical student at Stanford (Calif.) University.

There was no increased risk of SCC with alternative antifungals, including inhaled amphotericin and posaconazole. These alternatives should be considered instead of voriconazole in people at higher risk for skin cancer after lung transplants, according to the study, Mr. Mansh noted.

Voriconazole, which is widely used for antifungal prophylaxis after solid organ transplants, has been linked to skin cancer. The reason for the carcinogenic effect is not known; researchers are working to unravel the molecular mechanisms.

“Physicians should be cautious when using voriconazole in the care of transplant recipients. If you see a patient who is developing phototoxicity” with voriconazole, “and if they don’t have evidence of Aspergillus colonization, you may want to limit exposure to high doses of this drug or suggest an alternative,” Mr. Mansh said.

“We have now demonstrated that the alternatives “don’t carry this increased risk of cutaneous SCC,” Mr. Mansh said at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting.

The mean age of the study patients at transplant was 52 years, and the majority of patients were white; slightly more than half were men. Most had bilateral lung transplants, with pulmonary fibrosis at the leading indication.

Voriconazole was used in 85% of the patients for an average of 10 months. A quarter of voriconazole patients developed SCC within 5 years of transplant, and 43% within 10 years. Among patients who did not receive the drug, 15% developed SCC within 5 years of transplant, and 28% developed SCC within 10 years of transplant.

“The benefit of voriconazole in terms of death was limited to patients with evidence of Aspergillus colonization, and it wasn’t dose dependent. Patients who had a higher cumulative exposure did not get more benefit,” Mr. Mansh said.

Mr. Mansh had no relevant disclosures.

[email protected]

A smartphone application was less effective at correctly diagnosing malignant melanoma than clinical diagnosis by dermatologists, based on data from a study evaluating 195 melanocytic lesions.

The app, which used fractal image analysis, was 73% specific and 83% sensitive, whereas the dermatologists’ clinical examinations were 88% sensitive and 97% specific.

Both diagnostic methods’ results were compared to histopathologic analyses of the nevi. The histopathologic analyses found 40 melanomas, 42 dysplastic nevi, and 113 benign nevi.

“The smartphone application ... might be a promising tool in the pre-evaluation of pigmented moles by laypersons,” although the current technology falls short, compared with clinical diagnosis by a dermatologist, according to the study’s researchers.

Find the full study in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (doi:10.1111/jdv.12648).

A smartphone application was less effective at correctly diagnosing malignant melanoma than clinical diagnosis by dermatologists, based on data from a study evaluating 195 melanocytic lesions.

The app, which used fractal image analysis, was 73% specific and 83% sensitive, whereas the dermatologists’ clinical examinations were 88% sensitive and 97% specific.

Both diagnostic methods’ results were compared to histopathologic analyses of the nevi. The histopathologic analyses found 40 melanomas, 42 dysplastic nevi, and 113 benign nevi.

“The smartphone application ... might be a promising tool in the pre-evaluation of pigmented moles by laypersons,” although the current technology falls short, compared with clinical diagnosis by a dermatologist, according to the study’s researchers.

Find the full study in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (doi:10.1111/jdv.12648).

A smartphone application was less effective at correctly diagnosing malignant melanoma than clinical diagnosis by dermatologists, based on data from a study evaluating 195 melanocytic lesions.

The app, which used fractal image analysis, was 73% specific and 83% sensitive, whereas the dermatologists’ clinical examinations were 88% sensitive and 97% specific.

Both diagnostic methods’ results were compared to histopathologic analyses of the nevi. The histopathologic analyses found 40 melanomas, 42 dysplastic nevi, and 113 benign nevi.

“The smartphone application ... might be a promising tool in the pre-evaluation of pigmented moles by laypersons,” although the current technology falls short, compared with clinical diagnosis by a dermatologist, according to the study’s researchers.

Find the full study in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (doi:10.1111/jdv.12648).

SAN FRANCISCO – What role does nanotechnology play in photoprotection? How is the current regulatory climate helping and hurting innovation and product development? What are the real and perceived safety issues? These and other questions were addressed in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Nanodermatology Society at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Participants included dermatology practitioners and researchers, along with representatives of industry and the media.

“We have good data on a lot of the filters that are out there,” emphasized Dr. Adnan Nasir, president of the Nanodermatology Society and moderator of the roundtable.

Given the epidemic of skin cancer in the United States, “I hope that we can target our message as a public health message” and increase the confidence of physicians in discussing photoprotection and the confidence of patients in their doctors’ opinions on this important topic, Dr. Nasir said.

[email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO – What role does nanotechnology play in photoprotection? How is the current regulatory climate helping and hurting innovation and product development? What are the real and perceived safety issues? These and other questions were addressed in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Nanodermatology Society at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Participants included dermatology practitioners and researchers, along with representatives of industry and the media.

“We have good data on a lot of the filters that are out there,” emphasized Dr. Adnan Nasir, president of the Nanodermatology Society and moderator of the roundtable.

Given the epidemic of skin cancer in the United States, “I hope that we can target our message as a public health message” and increase the confidence of physicians in discussing photoprotection and the confidence of patients in their doctors’ opinions on this important topic, Dr. Nasir said.

[email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO – What role does nanotechnology play in photoprotection? How is the current regulatory climate helping and hurting innovation and product development? What are the real and perceived safety issues? These and other questions were addressed in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Nanodermatology Society at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Participants included dermatology practitioners and researchers, along with representatives of industry and the media.

“We have good data on a lot of the filters that are out there,” emphasized Dr. Adnan Nasir, president of the Nanodermatology Society and moderator of the roundtable.

Given the epidemic of skin cancer in the United States, “I hope that we can target our message as a public health message” and increase the confidence of physicians in discussing photoprotection and the confidence of patients in their doctors’ opinions on this important topic, Dr. Nasir said.

[email protected]

KAUAI, HAWAII – Using photodynamic therapy in place of blue-light therapy to reverse sun damage such as actinic keratosis is less expensive and associated with fewer adverse events such as pain, according to Dr. Christopher Zachary.

Dr. Zachary, chair of dermatology at the University of California, Irvine, shared his perspectives in a video on the advantages of photodynamic therapy over other field treatments, particularly in an era of changing health care reimbursements.

He spoke at the Hawaii Dermatology Seminar sponsored by Global Academy for Medical Education/Skin Disease Education Foundation. SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

[email protected]


On Twitter @whitneymcknight

KAUAI, HAWAII – Using photodynamic therapy in place of blue-light therapy to reverse sun damage such as actinic keratosis is less expensive and associated with fewer adverse events such as pain, according to Dr. Christopher Zachary.

Dr. Zachary, chair of dermatology at the University of California, Irvine, shared his perspectives in a video on the advantages of photodynamic therapy over other field treatments, particularly in an era of changing health care reimbursements.

He spoke at the Hawaii Dermatology Seminar sponsored by Global Academy for Medical Education/Skin Disease Education Foundation. SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

[email protected]


On Twitter @whitneymcknight

KAUAI, HAWAII – Using photodynamic therapy in place of blue-light therapy to reverse sun damage such as actinic keratosis is less expensive and associated with fewer adverse events such as pain, according to Dr. Christopher Zachary.

Dr. Zachary, chair of dermatology at the University of California, Irvine, shared his perspectives in a video on the advantages of photodynamic therapy over other field treatments, particularly in an era of changing health care reimbursements.

He spoke at the Hawaii Dermatology Seminar sponsored by Global Academy for Medical Education/Skin Disease Education Foundation. SDEF and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.

[email protected]


On Twitter @whitneymcknight

Ablative fractional laser–assisted delivery of topical fluorouracil resulted in 100% histologic clearance in patients with squamous cell carcinoma in situ and 71% in patients with superficial basal cell carcinoma, based on data from 28 patients (mean age 71 years). Each patient underwent one pass with an ablative fractional laser, followed by one application of topical 5-FU 5% under occlusion for 7 days.

Histologic clearance and patient satisfaction were assessed 4-8 weeks after treatment; no serious adverse events were reported, and all patients said they would recommend the treatment to others.

“This treatment modality may be particularly useful for older patients, tumors located on lower extremities or back, and multiple tumors scattered on different areas of the body,” although controlled studies in diverse populations with longer follow-up times are needed, wrote Dr. Bichchau T. Nguyen of Tufts University, Boston, and colleagues (JAAD 2015; 72:558-60).

Read the full article from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology here.

Ablative fractional laser–assisted delivery of topical fluorouracil resulted in 100% histologic clearance in patients with squamous cell carcinoma in situ and 71% in patients with superficial basal cell carcinoma, based on data from 28 patients (mean age 71 years). Each patient underwent one pass with an ablative fractional laser, followed by one application of topical 5-FU 5% under occlusion for 7 days.

Histologic clearance and patient satisfaction were assessed 4-8 weeks after treatment; no serious adverse events were reported, and all patients said they would recommend the treatment to others.

“This treatment modality may be particularly useful for older patients, tumors located on lower extremities or back, and multiple tumors scattered on different areas of the body,” although controlled studies in diverse populations with longer follow-up times are needed, wrote Dr. Bichchau T. Nguyen of Tufts University, Boston, and colleagues (JAAD 2015; 72:558-60).

Read the full article from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology here.

Ablative fractional laser–assisted delivery of topical fluorouracil resulted in 100% histologic clearance in patients with squamous cell carcinoma in situ and 71% in patients with superficial basal cell carcinoma, based on data from 28 patients (mean age 71 years). Each patient underwent one pass with an ablative fractional laser, followed by one application of topical 5-FU 5% under occlusion for 7 days.

Histologic clearance and patient satisfaction were assessed 4-8 weeks after treatment; no serious adverse events were reported, and all patients said they would recommend the treatment to others.

“This treatment modality may be particularly useful for older patients, tumors located on lower extremities or back, and multiple tumors scattered on different areas of the body,” although controlled studies in diverse populations with longer follow-up times are needed, wrote Dr. Bichchau T. Nguyen of Tufts University, Boston, and colleagues (JAAD 2015; 72:558-60).

Read the full article from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology here.

Adding an ablative fractional laser to daylight-assisted photodynamic therapy significantly improved the clearance rate of actinic keratoses in organ transplant recipients, compared with daylight PDT alone, conventional PDT alone, or ablative fractional laser alone, based on data from the treatment of 542 AKs in 16 adult patients reported by Dr. Katrine Togsverd-Bo of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and her colleagues (Br. J. Dermatol. 2015;172:467-74).

Each patient underwent each of the four treatment modalities on four randomized areas on the same region of the body. Three months after treatment, AK clearance rates were 74% for the combination AFL-dPDT, compared with 46% for daylight PDT alone, 50% for conventional PDT alone, and 5% for ablative fractional laser alone (P < .001).

Read the full article from the British Journal of Dermatology here.

Adding an ablative fractional laser to daylight-assisted photodynamic therapy significantly improved the clearance rate of actinic keratoses in organ transplant recipients, compared with daylight PDT alone, conventional PDT alone, or ablative fractional laser alone, based on data from the treatment of 542 AKs in 16 adult patients reported by Dr. Katrine Togsverd-Bo of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and her colleagues (Br. J. Dermatol. 2015;172:467-74).

Each patient underwent each of the four treatment modalities on four randomized areas on the same region of the body. Three months after treatment, AK clearance rates were 74% for the combination AFL-dPDT, compared with 46% for daylight PDT alone, 50% for conventional PDT alone, and 5% for ablative fractional laser alone (P < .001).

Read the full article from the British Journal of Dermatology here.

Adding an ablative fractional laser to daylight-assisted photodynamic therapy significantly improved the clearance rate of actinic keratoses in organ transplant recipients, compared with daylight PDT alone, conventional PDT alone, or ablative fractional laser alone, based on data from the treatment of 542 AKs in 16 adult patients reported by Dr. Katrine Togsverd-Bo of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and her colleagues (Br. J. Dermatol. 2015;172:467-74).

Each patient underwent each of the four treatment modalities on four randomized areas on the same region of the body. Three months after treatment, AK clearance rates were 74% for the combination AFL-dPDT, compared with 46% for daylight PDT alone, 50% for conventional PDT alone, and 5% for ablative fractional laser alone (P < .001).

Read the full article from the British Journal of Dermatology here.

Can photographs be as good as clinical examination for counting actinic keratoses?

Depending on the physician, AK counts varied widely on clinical assessment as well as in photos, reported Dr. Sudipta Sinnya of the Dermatology Research Centre at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, and associates. However, based on current two-dimensional technology, clinical counting yields superior results, said the researchers, who studied the counts of five trained observers carried out in two sessions with six patients.

“As technological advancements occur, three-dimensional photography will largely supersede two-dimensional photographs in clinical practice, and more robust image-capturing techniques should improve the accuracy of photogra­phic counting,” the researchers noted.

Read the full article from Acta Dermato-Venereologica (2015 [doi:10.2340/00015555-2040]) here.

Can photographs be as good as clinical examination for counting actinic keratoses?

Depending on the physician, AK counts varied widely on clinical assessment as well as in photos, reported Dr. Sudipta Sinnya of the Dermatology Research Centre at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, and associates. However, based on current two-dimensional technology, clinical counting yields superior results, said the researchers, who studied the counts of five trained observers carried out in two sessions with six patients.

“As technological advancements occur, three-dimensional photography will largely supersede two-dimensional photographs in clinical practice, and more robust image-capturing techniques should improve the accuracy of photogra­phic counting,” the researchers noted.

Read the full article from Acta Dermato-Venereologica (2015 [doi:10.2340/00015555-2040]) here.

Can photographs be as good as clinical examination for counting actinic keratoses?

Depending on the physician, AK counts varied widely on clinical assessment as well as in photos, reported Dr. Sudipta Sinnya of the Dermatology Research Centre at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, and associates. However, based on current two-dimensional technology, clinical counting yields superior results, said the researchers, who studied the counts of five trained observers carried out in two sessions with six patients.

“As technological advancements occur, three-dimensional photography will largely supersede two-dimensional photographs in clinical practice, and more robust image-capturing techniques should improve the accuracy of photogra­phic counting,” the researchers noted.

Read the full article from Acta Dermato-Venereologica (2015 [doi:10.2340/00015555-2040]) here.

Projections for the number of new melanoma cases in 2015 give Texas the lowest estimated incidence and Oregon the highest, according to a report from the American Cancer Society.

Texas is expected to have 2,410 new cases of melanoma this year, for an incidence of 8.9 cases per 100,000 people. Oregon’s projected 1,480 melanoma cases for 2015 results in an incidence of 37.3 cases per 100,000 population. (The ACS projected the number of new cases, so incidences here are calculated via recent Census Bureau population estimates.)

After Texas, Louisiana should have the lowest melanoma rate at 11.6 per 100,000, followed by Arkansas and the District of Columbia, both at 12.1 per 100,000. On the upper end of the scale, Oregon will likely be followed by Washington, where the incidence for 2015 is expected to be 34.8 per 100,000, the ACS data show.

Using incidences (1995-2011) reported by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the ACS projected that 73,870 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States this year – meaning an overall incidence of 23.2 per 100,000, based on the same Census Bureau figures.

The ACS estimated that there will be 9,940 deaths from melanoma in 2015 – an incidence of 3.1 per 100,000 population – as well as 3,400 deaths from other forms of skin cancer, not including basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

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Projections for the number of new melanoma cases in 2015 give Texas the lowest estimated incidence and Oregon the highest, according to a report from the American Cancer Society.

Texas is expected to have 2,410 new cases of melanoma this year, for an incidence of 8.9 cases per 100,000 people. Oregon’s projected 1,480 melanoma cases for 2015 results in an incidence of 37.3 cases per 100,000 population. (The ACS projected the number of new cases, so incidences here are calculated via recent Census Bureau population estimates.)

After Texas, Louisiana should have the lowest melanoma rate at 11.6 per 100,000, followed by Arkansas and the District of Columbia, both at 12.1 per 100,000. On the upper end of the scale, Oregon will likely be followed by Washington, where the incidence for 2015 is expected to be 34.8 per 100,000, the ACS data show.

Using incidences (1995-2011) reported by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the ACS projected that 73,870 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States this year – meaning an overall incidence of 23.2 per 100,000, based on the same Census Bureau figures.

The ACS estimated that there will be 9,940 deaths from melanoma in 2015 – an incidence of 3.1 per 100,000 population – as well as 3,400 deaths from other forms of skin cancer, not including basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

[email protected]

Projections for the number of new melanoma cases in 2015 give Texas the lowest estimated incidence and Oregon the highest, according to a report from the American Cancer Society.

Texas is expected to have 2,410 new cases of melanoma this year, for an incidence of 8.9 cases per 100,000 people. Oregon’s projected 1,480 melanoma cases for 2015 results in an incidence of 37.3 cases per 100,000 population. (The ACS projected the number of new cases, so incidences here are calculated via recent Census Bureau population estimates.)

After Texas, Louisiana should have the lowest melanoma rate at 11.6 per 100,000, followed by Arkansas and the District of Columbia, both at 12.1 per 100,000. On the upper end of the scale, Oregon will likely be followed by Washington, where the incidence for 2015 is expected to be 34.8 per 100,000, the ACS data show.

Using incidences (1995-2011) reported by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the ACS projected that 73,870 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States this year – meaning an overall incidence of 23.2 per 100,000, based on the same Census Bureau figures.

The ACS estimated that there will be 9,940 deaths from melanoma in 2015 – an incidence of 3.1 per 100,000 population – as well as 3,400 deaths from other forms of skin cancer, not including basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

[email protected]