Optical coherence tomography versus punch biopsy for diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma: a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Punch biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis and subtyping of basal cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess whether use of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive imaging tool, might avoid the need for biopsy.

Methods: In a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial, patients (aged ≥18 years) with an indication for biopsy of a suspected basal cell carcinoma outside the H-zone (high-risk zone) of the face were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either OCT or punch biopsy (regular care) via a web-based randomisation system.

Risk of Invasive Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Different Treatments for Actinic Keratosis: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Treatment of actinic keratosis (AK) aims to prevent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). However, whether AK can progress into invasive cSCC is a matter of debate, and little is known about the effect of treatment on preventing cSCC.

Objectives: To evaluate the risk of invasive cSCC and factors that may contribute to increased risk in patients with multiple AKs.

Randomized Trial of Four Treatment Approaches for Actinic Keratosis.

Background: Actinic keratosis is the most frequent premalignant skin disease in the white population. In current guidelines, no clear recommendations are made about which treatment is preferred.

Methods: We investigated the effectiveness of four frequently used field-directed treatments (for multiple lesions in a continuous area).

Five-Year Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Effectiveness of Photodynamic Therapy, Topical Imiquimod, and Topical 5-Fluorouracil in Patients with Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma.

For the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma, a prospective, noninferiority, randomized controlled multicenter trial with 601 patients showed that 5% imiquimod cream was superior and 5-fluorouracil cream not inferior to methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) at 1 and 3 years after treatment. No definite conclusion could be drawn regarding the superiority of imiquimod over 5-fluorouracil. We now present the 5-year follow-up results according to the intention-to-treat analysis.

Three-Year Follow-Up Results of Photodynamic Therapy vs. Imiquimod vs. Fluorouracil for Treatment of Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Blind, Noninferiority, Randomized Controlled Trial.

A randomized controlled trial including 601 patients previously showed that the effectiveness of imiquimod and fluorouracil cream were not inferior to methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) in patients with superficial basal cell carcinoma after 1 year of follow-up. We now present the 3-year follow-up results. The probability of tumor-free survival at 3 years post-treatment was 58.

Photodynamic therapy versus topical imiquimod versus topical fluorouracil for treatment of superficial basal-cell carcinoma: a single blind, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Superficial basal-cell carcinoma is most commonly treated with topical non-surgical treatments, such as photodynamic therapy or topical creams. Photodynamic therapy is considered the preferable treatment, although this has not been previously tested in a randomised control trial. We assessed the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy compared with imiquimod or fluorouracil in patients with superficial basal-cell carcinoma.

Giant ceribriform intradermal nevus on the back of a newborn.

A male newborn had a large cerebriform tumor covering his shoulders and almost the entire surface of his back. After exclusion of further abnormalities, the diagnosis of cerebriform intradermal nevus was made. This particular variant of giant melanocytic nevus should always be differentiated from cutis verticis gyrata, if located on the vertex.

Sporadic nonsyndromal anterior cervical hypertrichosis: case report and review of the literature.

A 13-year-old girl presented with cosmetically disturbing excessive hair growth in the anterior cervical region that had been present since birth. An X-ray of the cervical and lumbosacral spine did not show any ossal changes. Based on the clinical findings, the diagnosis of anterior cervical hypertrichosis was made.

Actinic keratosis: how to differentiate the good from the bad ones?

Our objective was to obtain practical clinical parameters to indicate those actinic keratoses (AK) that are at risk of becoming invasive. A systematic review of the literature, with focus on randomized trials, retrospective studies and reviews was undertaken. The main outcome measure was the rates and clinical features of AK that transformed into SCC.

Histopathological characteristics of metastasizing squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and lips.

Aims: The reported incidence of metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin and lip varies between 0.5% and 16%. Clinical and histopathological criteria have been proposed to identify tumours that may have an increased risk of metastasis.

A clinical comparison and long-term follow-up of topical 5-fluorouracil versus laser resurfacing in the treatment of widespread actinic keratoses.

Background And Objectives: Many treatment modalities exist for actinic keratoses (AK). Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been one of the standard treatments. Laser resurfacing is a more recent treatment option.

Congenital naevi treated with erbium:YAG laser (Derma K) resurfacing in neonates: clinical results and review of the literature.

Background: Giant congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN) are often disfiguring, potentially malignant pigmented lesions present at birth. Their management is based on two main considerations: attempt to minimize the risk of malignancy and to obtain an acceptable cosmetic result. In the past various approaches have been used to treat these naevi.

Recurrence rates and long-term follow-up after laser resurfacing as a treatment for widespread actinic keratoses on the face and scalp.

Background: Diffuse widespread actinic keratoses are difficult to treat, have a tendency toward higher recurrence rates, and therefore require ablative treatment. Laser resurfacing is one of the treatment modalities that can treat whole surface areas.

Objective: To evaluate patients who underwent laser resurfacing for widespread actinic keratoses with long-term follow-up for recurrence rates, time until new lesions occur, and the most common side effects.

Delayed wound healing after three different treatments for widespread actinic keratosis on the atrophic bald scalp.

Background: Actinic keratosis is an exceedingly common premalignant lesion that can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. There is an increasing prevalence of actinic keratosis with increasing age. Numerous treatment options are available for the treatment of actinic keratosis on the scalp.

Classification of low-grade neuroendocrine tumors of midgut and unknown origin.

Metastasized neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and of unknown origin show a highly variable clinical course. Within this group, low-grade and high-grade malignant tumors can be recognized based on the revised classification of neuroendocrine tumors of the lung, pancreas, and gut published by Capella et al in 1995. The present study investigated whether fine-tuning the prediction of prognosis was possible by dividing the group of low-grade malignant tumors of the midgut and of unknown origin into typical and atypical carcinoids by grading them according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification criteria for neuroendocrine tumors of the lung.

Carcinoid heart disease: an update.

Background: Carcinoid tumours are a poorly defined collection of lesions, histopathologically indistinguishable from gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. In this report, we discuss epidemiology and survival, clinical presentation, carcinoid valvular heart disease (CVHD), histopathological considerations and treatment options.

Methods: Review and update of the literature.

Epidemiology and survival in patients with carcinoid disease in The Netherlands. An epidemiological study with 2391 patients.

Background: Carcinoid tumours are rare malignant neuroendocrine tumours. In 1992 octreotide was introduced in the Netherlands as a palliative treatment for the carcinoid syndrome in metastatic carcinoid disease. The aims of this epidemiological study were to evaluate epidemiological data and the impact of octreotide on survival in metastatic carcinoid disease.

Angiographic, ultrasonic, and angioscopic assessment of the coronary artery wall and lumen area configuration after directional atherectomy: the mechanism revisited.

The purpose of the present study was to use the complementary information of angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and intracoronary angioscopy before and after directional atherectomy to characterize the postatherectomy appearance of vessel wall contours and the mechanism of lumen enlargement. Directional coronary atherectomy aims at debulking rather than dilating a coronary artery lesion. The selective removal of the plaque may potentially minimize the vessel wall damage and lead to subsequent better late outcome.

Lateral augmentation of the middle third of the nose with autologous cartilage in nasal valve insufficiency.

Nasal valve insufficiency (NVI) is a troublesome clinical entity for both the patient and the otorhinolaryngologist. Aetiological factors include congenital and iatrogenic causes, trauma, aging. Pathology is frequently located in the middle third of the nose: the upper lateral cartilages (ULC) and the cartilaginous septum (CS).