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.

Sun-seeking behavior to increase cutaneous vitamin D synthesis: when prevention messages conflict.

Objectives: The public has long been encouraged to engage in sun-safe practices to minimize exposure to sunlight, the major cause of nonmelanoma skin cancer. More recently, some have advocated unprotected sun exposure to increase cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D as a way to promote health. We assessed the net result of these conflicting messages.

A new American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: creation and rationale for inclusion of tumor (T) characteristics.

Background: The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is increasing. Although most patients achieve complete remission with surgical treatment, those with advanced disease have a poor prognosis. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) is responsible for the staging criteria for all cancers.

Quantitative methylation profiles for multiple tumor suppressor gene promoters in salivary gland tumors.

Background: Methylation profiling of tumor suppressor gene (TSGs) promoters is quickly becoming a powerful diagnostic tool for the early detection, prognosis, and even prediction of clinical response to treatment. Few studies address this in salivary gland tumors (SGTs); hence the promoter methylation profile of various TSGs was quantitatively assessed in primary SGT tissue to determine if tumor-specific alterations could be detected.

Methodology: DNA isolated from 78 tumor and 17 normal parotid gland specimens was assayed for promoter methylation status of 19 TSGs by fluorescence-based, quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP).

A survey of methylated candidate tumor suppressor genes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare malignancy with unique genetic, viral and environmental characteristic that distinguishes it from other head and neck carcinomas. The clinical management of NPC remains challenging largely due to the lack of early detection strategies for this tumor. In our study, we have sought to identify novel genes involved in the pathogenesis of NPC that might provide insight into this tumor's biology and could potentially be used as biomarkers.

Leech therapy in cutaneous surgery and disease.

Background: Over the ages, the use of leeches in medicine has evolved from haphazard bloodletting to a well-understood physiologic process with defined, rational applications.

Objective: The authors describe the current role of leech therapy in cutaneous surgery and medicine.

Methods: Case series and review of the literature.

KIF1A and EDNRB are differentially methylated in primary HNSCC and salivary rinses.

Silencing of tumor suppressor genes plays a vital role in head and neck carcinogenesis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate to the utility of aberrant promoter hypermethylation for detection in a panel of 10 genes (KIF1A, EDNRB, CDH4, TERT, CD44, NISCH, PAK3, VGF, MAL and FKBP4) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) via a candidate gene approach. We investigated methylation of the gene promoters by bisulfite modification and quantitative methylation-specific PCR (Q-MSP) in a preliminary study of a limited cohort of salivary rinses from healthy subjects (n = 61) and patients with HNSCC (n = 33).

Phospho-DeltaNp63alpha/NF-Y protein complex transcriptionally regulates DDIT3 expression in squamous cell carcinoma cells upon cisplatin exposure.

Cisplatin remains the most important chemotherapeutic agent for patients with human head and neck cancer. However, tumor cells often develop resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. We previously found that head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells exposed to cisplatin display a marked ATM-induced phosphorylation of DeltaNp63alpha.

Changes in skin tanning attitudes. Fashion articles and advertisements in the early 20th century.

Historical reviews suggest that tanning first became fashionable in the 1920s or 1930s. To quantitatively and qualitatively examine changes in tanning attitudes portrayed in the popular women's press during the early 20th century, we reviewed summer issues of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar for the years 1920, 1927, 1928, and 1929. We examined these issues for articles and advertisements promoting skin tanning or skin bleaching and protection.

The association between skin characteristics and skin cancer prevention behaviors.

Background: Behaviors such as sunscreen use and wearing sun-protective clothing are thought to prevent certain types of skin cancer and precancerous lesions, but few studies have examined differences in these prevention behaviors by skin type.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study (n = 6,858) nested within a community-based prospective cohort in Washington County, Maryland. We measured the associations between skin type, complexion, freckling, and eye color, and sunscreen and sun-protective clothing use.

Quantitative detection of Merkel cell virus in human tissues and possible mode of transmission.

Merkel Cell Virus (MCV) is a newly discovered polyomavirus, recently found in a rare skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). However, MCV has also been detected in some normal tissue samples. We tested and compared the relative quantity of the MCV in a set of diverse human tissue samples with the MCC samples.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer and risk for subsequent malignancy.

Background: Individuals with a personal history of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) may have an increased risk of subsequent noncutaneous malignancies. To test this hypothesis, we carried out a community-based, prospective cohort study.

Methods: In the CLUE (Give Us a Clue to Cancer and Heart Disease) II cohort, which was established in Washington County, MD, in 1989, the risk of new malignancies was compared among individuals with (n = 769) and without (n = 18,405) a personal history of NMSC (total n = 19,174) during a 16-year follow-up period.

Electronic templates versus dictation for the completion of Mohs micrographic surgery operative notes.

Background: Operative notes can be generated electronically by manual input of the entire note, free-form oral dictation, or using either an electronic template or a template for dictation. There are few studies that have directly compared these modalities in terms of speed, accuracy, and completeness.

Objective: The objective was to determine whether electronic templates are more efficient and reduce errors compared to free-form oral dictation for the completion of Mohs micrographic surgery operative notes.

Downregulation of NDUFA1 and other oxidative phosphorylation-related genes is a consistent feature of basal cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy that, like other tumours, possesses a heterogeneous genetic composition. In order to select genes with consistent changes in expression among these tumours, we analysed BCC microarray expression data by using a novel approach, termed correlative analysis of microarrays (CAM). CAM is a nested, non-parametric method designed to qualitatively select candidates based on their individual, similar effects upon an array-wide closeness measure.

Closing surgical defects of the external ear.

Closing surgical defects of the external ear poses unique challenges because of the convoluted shape and thin tethered skin. Choice of repair is often dictated by the site of the wound. If the defect is central and anterior with intact cartilage, most defects will do well by second intention healing or grafting.