Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, classically has an indolent clinical course, with lesions slowly progressing from patch to plaque to tumor stage. In some cases, the late stages of disease involve extra-cutaneous dissemination to lymph nodes or viscera. Although this "Alibert-Bazin" type is the prototypic MF, there are several variants and subtypes of MF that may have different clinical implications for treatment and prognosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLocally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma no longer amenable to surgical resection or primary radiation therapy requires an alternative approach to treatment. Until 2018, management consisted of limited systemic chemotherapies, which carried marginal clinical benefit. The introduction of immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 antibodies resulted in alternative treatment options for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with substantial antitumor activity, durable response and acceptable safety profile.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRadiation therapy may be performed for a variety of cutaneous malignancies, depending on patient health status, tumor clinical and histologic features, patient preference, and resource availability. Dermatologists should be able to recognize the clinical scenarios in which radiation therapy is appropriate, as this may reduce morbidity, decrease risk of disease recurrence, and improve quality of life. The second article in this 2-part continuing medical education series focuses on the most common indications for radiation therapy in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Merkel cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, angiosarcoma, cutaneous lymphoma, melanoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, and sebaceous carcinoma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRadiation therapy offers distinct advantages over other currently available treatments for cutaneous malignancies in certain circumstances. Dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons should be familiar with the available radiation therapy techniques as well as their value and potential limitations in a variety of clinical scenarios. The first article in this 2-part continuing medical education series highlights the mechanisms, modalities, and applications of the most commonly used radiotherapy treatments as they relate to cutaneous oncology.
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