Immune checkpoint analysis in ear cancer.

Background: Among cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, the ear (ecSCC) is one of the most common sites. Loco regional lymph node metastasis is found in six to eleven percent of cases, corresponding to increased metastasis compared to other sites. The aim of this study was to test the markers PD-L1, PD-1, CD4, CD8, and FoxP3 for suitability as prognostic predictive markers.

IMP3 Expression as a Potential Tumour Marker in High-Risk Localisations of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: IMP3 in Metastatic cSCC.

Background: High IMP3 expression is correlated with a worse outcome. Until now, there have been no data about IMP3 expression and clinical outcome for high-risk localisation of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (cSCC).

Methods: One-hundred twenty-two patients with cSCC of the lip and ear were included, and IMP3 expression in the tumours was immunohistochemically assessed in different evaluation approaches.

Immune checkpoint analysis in lip cancer.

The aim of this study was to establish whether PD-L1, PD-1, and markers of the tumor microenvironment (CD4, CD8, FOXP3) could have a prognostic value in squamous cell carcinoma of the lip (LSCC). In patients with histologically proven LSCC, tumor specimens were stained using immunohistochemistry (for PD-1, PD-L1, CD4, CD8, and FOXP3) on paraffin-embedded tissues. Patients with (N+) and without (N-) nodal metastasis were stratified and matched to each other according to prognostically relevant clinicopathological parameters.

Twenty-Eight Cases of Extraocular Sebaceous Carcinoma: A Correlative Clinicopathological and Immunohistochemical Analysis of Extraocular Sebaceous Carcinomas and Benign Sebaceous Gland Tumors.

Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma (ESC) is a rare appendiceal skin tumor. In contrast to ocular sebaceous carcinoma, information about the exact cellular architecture of these lesions is scarce and the histogenesis of ESC is unknown. Here, we extend our previous study and investigate 28 extraocular carcinomas in comparison to 54 benign sebaceous tumors and 8 cases of normal sebaceous glands using a broad spectrum of antibodies against p63, several keratins, adipophilin, EMA, Ki67, androgen receptor, and mismatch repair proteins.

Primary head and neck mucosal melanoma: Predictors of survival and a case series on sentinel node biopsy.

Introduction: Head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMM) is a rare tumor with a poor outcome. The objective of this study was to assess outcome and prognostic factors for a cohort of patients treated in a head and neck cancer center. In addition, a case series on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was included to evaluate it as a method for staging the node-negative neck.

Cutaneous Angiosarcoma of Head and Neck: A New Predictive Score for Locoregional Metastasis.

Objectives: Cutaneous angiosarcoma of head and neck (cAS-HN) is a malignant neoplasm with deficient data on prognostic factors. The aim of this study is to present our monocenter database on cAS-HN so far and a new predictive score for locoregional metastasis (LRM).

Methods: Retrospectively, tumor characteristics and outcome of 103 consecutive patients with cAS-HN were analyzed.

Basosquamous carcinoma of the head and neck: clinical and histologic characteristics and their impact on disease progression.

Objectives: Basosquamous carcinoma (BSC) is a rare tumor entity, and the most common onset is in the head and neck region (BSC-HN). The data on diagnosis, treatment, and especially risk assessment concerning disease course and outcome are deficient or inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for local relapse (LR) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) and their impact on progression-free survival (PFS).

Aggressive primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas show increased Angiopoietin-2-induced angiogenesis.

Primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphomas, leg type (PCLBCL/LT) are primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL) with an intermediate prognosis. Therefore, antracycline-based polychemotherapy combined with rituximab has been recommended as first-line treatment. Yet, despite this regimen, the 5-year survival rate remains 50-66% only.

Prediction model for lymph node metastasis and recommendations for elective neck dissection in lip cancer.

Introduction: In patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip, occurrence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is more frequent than in other cutaneous head and neck SCCs. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors for LNM in SCC of the lip and to establish a prediction model identifying patients at high LNM risk.

Materials And Methods: Tumor characteristics of 326 patients with lip SCC were analyzed retrospectively to assess differences between the LNM group and controls.

Prediction score for lymph node metastasis from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the external ear.

Aims: The frequency of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is higher in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the ear than in other head and neck cSCCs. Nodal dissemination is associated with a significantly worse prognosis and disease-specific survival. The aim of this study was to establish a prediction model for LNM in patients with cSCC of the ear.

Prognostic features in angiosarcoma of the head and neck: a retrospective monocenter study.

Background: Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the head and neck (cAS-HN) is a rare malignancy with poor survival. Most of the histological markers and grading were not proven to be significant for prediction of outcomes in cAS-HN. This study aimed to find prognostic clinical features and histologic markers for cAS-HN.

New and established treatment options for mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome - an update.

At the time of diagnosis primary cutaneous lymphomas are limited to the skin. T-cell lymphomas represent at least two thirds of all primary cutaneous lymphomas with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome being the most frequent entities. A precise staging based on clinical, histological, immunohistological and molecular biological criteria is crucial for selecting the appropriate therapy.

Prognostic value of S100/CD31 and S100/podoplanin double immunostaining in mucosal malignant melanoma of the head and neck.

Background: In uncommon mucosal melanomas of the head and neck established prognostic factors are rare and controversially discussed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcome and value of S100/podoplanin and S100/CD31 double immunostaining in head and neck mucosal melanomas.

Methods: Retrospectively, patients with head and neck mucosal melanomas treated between 1973 and 2008 were analyzed.

Molecular genetic analysis of 16 XP-C patients from Germany: environmental factors predominately contribute to phenotype variations.

Patients belonging to xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) complementation group C comprise one-third of all XP patients. Only four major reports compiled larger groups of XP-C patients from southern Europe (12 pts), North America (16 pts) and Africa (14 and 56 pts) as well as their genetic background (46 XPC mutations). We identified 16 XP-C patients from Germany.

High frequency of MYC gene amplification is a common feature of radiation-induced sarcomas. Further results from EORTC STBSG TL 01/01.

Irradiation is a major causative factor among the small subgroup of sarcomas with a known etiology. The prognosis of radiation-induced sarcomas (RIS) is significantly worse than that of their spontaneous counterparts. The most frequent histological subtypes include undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas, angiosarcomas, and leiomyosarcomas.

[Malignant lymphoma of the skin: update on diagnostics and therapy of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma].

The diagnosis of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma is made based principally on the results of histological investigations and staging. For an exact staging abdominal sonography and chest X-ray examinations and for appropriate clinical symptoms special investigations as well as radiological imaging procedures including PET are indicated in addition to conventional laboratory investigations. For therapy rituximab is normally administered as monotherapy in order to avoid over therapy of indolent lymphoma.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate as an independent prognostic factor in mycosis fungoides.

Background: Mycosis fungoides has a characteristically indolent clinical course, with a slow progression from patches over plaques to tumours. In advanced stages, with generalized skin involvement or tumours, the prognosis is poor. Well defined prognostic parameters for the individual risc stratifications are rare.

Survival data for 299 patients with primary cutaneous lymphomas: a monocentre study.

The aim of this study was retrospectively to assess the validity of the 2005 WHO-EORTC classification for primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCL) in a large cohort of patients of a single German skin cancer unit. All patients with PCLs consecutively visiting our hospital between January 1980 and December 2005 were included in a retrospective monocentre study, analysing their histological and clinical data. A total of 312 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for PCL.

Simultaneous aberrations of single CDKN2A network components and a high Rb phosphorylation status can differentiate subgroups of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas.

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) gene on chromosome 9p21 encodes p16 (INK4A), the inhibitor of the CDK4/retinoblastoma (Rb) cell proliferation pathway, as well as p14 (ARF), which controls p53-dependent pathways. Inactivation of p16 has previously been associated with the prognostically unfavourable primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCLBCL, LT). In this work, we analysed 22 tumors [nine primary cutaneous follicle centre lymphomas (PCFCL), seven primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphomas (PCMZL) and six PCLBCL, LT] not only for alterations of the p16 gene but also for p14, p53 and Rb by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry.

[Diffuse brown discoloration of skin, mucosa and urine].

A 45-year-old woman presented with diffuse melanosis, icteric sclera and melanuria. Physical examination revealed a massive nodular melanoma with ulceration and satellite metastases on the back. Further investigation showed distant cutaneous and visceral metastasis.