The feasibility of adjuvant interferon alpha-2b in children with high-risk melanoma.

Background: It has been shown that induction high-dose interferon alpha-2b (IFN-alpha-2b) followed by maintenance therapy improves recurrence-free survival in adults with high-risk, resected melanoma. In this study, the feasibility and toxicity of this regimen were evaluated in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with Stage III melanoma involving regional lymph nodes.

Methods: Fifteen patients age View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Microbial community structure and oxidative enzyme activity in nitrogen-amended north temperate forest soils.

Large regions of temperate forest are subject to elevated atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition which can affect soil organic matter dynamics by altering mass loss rates, soil respiration, and dissolved organic matter production. At present there is no general model that links these responses to changes in the organization and operation of microbial decomposer communities. Toward that end, we studied the response of litter and soil microbial communities to high levels of N amendment (30 and 80 kg ha(-1) yr(-1)) in three types of northern temperate forest: sugar maple/basswood (SMBW), sugar maple/red oak (SMRO), and white oak/black oak (WOBO).

Topical imiquimod treatment for nodular basal cell carcinomas: an open-label series.

Background: Imiquimod has been used for basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). This is the first open-label series using imiquimod for nodular BCC with Mohs surgery resection for confirmation of treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of topical imiquimod in patients with biopsy-proven nodular BCC.

Forceps and cotton applicator method of freezing benign lesions.

Background: Cryosurgery is one of the most common treatment methods in the dermatologists armamentarium. We describe a method combining forceps and a cotton applicator to freeze benign lesions for practitioners who prefer to use cotton-tipped applicators instead of a cryosurgery spray device.

Methods: We describe the technique using common in-office instruments.

The use of imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas in a basal cell nevus syndrome patient.

Background: Imiquimod 5% cream has been used effectively to treat superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs).

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness, tolerability, and desirability of imiquimod 5% cream in treating superficial non-facial basal cell carcinomas in a patient with basal cell nevus syndrome.

Methods: Three biopsy-proven nonfacial BCCs were treated for 18 weeks with once daily application of 5% imiquimod cream.

Summertime sun protection used by adults for their children.

Background: Because an estimated 50% to 80% of the skin's lifetime sun damage is thought to occur in childhood and adolescence, it is during these critical periods that intense, intermittent sun exposure causing burning increases melanoma risk.

Methods: A 1997 telephone survey of 503 households evaluated parental attitudes about their child having a tan, and ease of practicing sun protection, sun protection methods used, and sunburning on 5 successive summer weekends.

Results: In a random sample of 1 child from each household, 13% of children sunburned during the past week or weekend, and 9% of their parents experienced a sunburn during the past weekend.

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma: collaborative series review and update.

Background: Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a malignant appendageal tumor first described in 1982. It can be clinically and histologically confused with other malignant and benign cutaneous neoplasms, leading to inadequate initial treatment. This neoplasm is locally aggressive and deeply infiltrating, characterized by high morbidity and frequent recurrence.

What promotes skin self-examination?

The American Academy of Dermatology's national program of Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention, developed in response to the rising incidence of invasive melanoma in the United States, has annually produced extensive print, radio, and television coverage about performing skin self-examination (SSE). This study was conducted to determine factors that motivate people to perform SSE. A 1996 telephone survey evaluated performance of SSE for skin cancer and used questions to identify self-perceived.

Trends in sun exposure knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors: 1986 to 1996.

Background: The American Academy of Dermatology's national program Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention, developed in response to the rising incidence of invasive melanoma in the United States, has annually during the past decade produced extensive print, radio, and television coverage about the dangers of sun exposure and benefits of sun protection.

Objective: We measured the progress achieved in increasing the awareness and knowledge of skin cancer and changing the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that affect skin cancer risk. We also describe current sun-related behavior including sunburning, assess the likelihood of practicing sun protection strategies, and provide a baseline against which future changes in sun protection behavior may be evaluated.

Does inflammation contribute to the eradication of basal cell carcinoma following curettage and electrodesiccation?

Background: Curettage and electrodesiccation (C&D) is probably the technique most frequently utilized by dermatologists to treat basal cell carcinomas (BCC). From histologic studies, it appears C&D does not completely mechanically remove all nests of BCC in a substantial number of cases. Nevertheless, the reported 5-year reoccurrence rate following C&D is significantly less than this histologically observed residual tumor frequency immediately following C&D.

Tumors with smooth muscle differentiation.

Background: In the classification of tumors of soft tissue, modern schemes describe tumors by the normal adult tissue type the tumor resembles. Thus, tumors are described as smooth muscle tumors if the cells are differentiating towards smooth muscle. We may infer that in fact the tumor arose from smooth muscle, but this is only an inference.

Melanoma awareness and self-examination practices: results of a United States survey.

Background: Skin cancers are common and there has been a dramatic increase in their incidence, particularly melanoma. However, little is known about awareness of melanoma and early detection practices in the general U.S.

Indoor tanning: risks, benefits, and future trends.

The indoor tanning industry is a $1 billion-a-year business in the United States, and use of these high-intensity UVA tanning devices continues to grow. Many members of the medical community are concerned about the safety of these largely unregulated devices, but tanning salon operators state such concerns are unfounded and unproved. A comprehensive review of current knowledge of the operation and effects of indoor tanning is presented.

Principles of management of basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

There are a number of options available to the physician for the primary management of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. The most commonly used treatment modalities are primary resection, radiation therapy, and Mohs' micrographic surgery. Although each of these modalities can be used to treat most skin cancers in a variety of settings, each of these forms of cancer treatment is more appropriate in some settings and less appropriate in others.

Mohs micrographic surgery.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a precise method of skin cancer removal that offers the highest cure rate and conserves the maximal amount of normal tissue. It is indicated for recurrent tumors and certain primary basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, but not for small, nonrecurrent, well-defined lesions. The fresh tissue technique permits the use of horizontal frozen sections for the complete microscopic examination of lateral and deep margins.