Relationships among primary tumor size, number of involved nodes, and survival for 8044 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma.

Background: The effects of primary tumor size on nodal involvement and of number of involved nodes on survival have not, to our knowledge, been examined in a national database of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

Objective: We sought to analyze a retrospective cohort of patients with MCC from the largest US national database to assess the relationships between these clinical parameters and survival.

Methods: A total of 8044 MCC cases in the National Cancer Data Base were analyzed.

Differential expression of degradome components in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.

Although the cure rate for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is high, the diverse spectrum of squamous cell carcinoma has made it difficult for early diagnosis, particularly the aggressive tumors that are highly associated with mortality. Therefore, molecular markers are needed as an adjunct to current staging methods for diagnosing high-risk lesions, and stratifying those patients with aggressive tumors. To identify such biomarkers, we have examined a comprehensive set of 200 histologically defined squamous cell carcinoma and normal skin samples by using a combination of microarray, QRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses.

Identification of guanine nucleotide-binding protein γ-7 as an epigenetically silenced gene in head and neck cancer by gene expression profiling.

Silencing of tumor suppressor genes plays a vital role in head and neck carcinogenesis. Aberrant hypermethylation in the promoter region of some known or putative tumor suppressor genes occurs frequently during the development of various types of cancer including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study we used an expanded mRNA expression profiling approach followed by microarray expression analysis to identify epigenetically inactivated genes in HNSCC.

Association between type of reconstruction after Mohs micrographic surgery and surgeon-, patient-, and tumor-specific features: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There are few data to indicate whether the type of final wound defect is associated with the type of post-Mohs repair.

Objective: To determine the methods of reconstruction that Mohs surgeons typically select and, secondarily, to assess the association between the method and the number of stages, tumor type, anatomic location, and patient and surgeon characteristics.

Methods: Statistical analysis of procedure logs of 20 representative young to mid-career Mohs surgeons.

Flow cytometry of lesional skin enhances the evaluation of cutaneous B-cell lymphomas.

Background: Cutaneous B-cell lymphoproliferative lesions can pose diagnostic challenges. This study investigates the utlility of flow cytometry in 42 cases of suspected cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.

Methods: All available cases were reviewed [World Health Organization-European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (WHO-EORTC) classification].