Effects of CTLA-4 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Toxicity of Ipilimumab-Containing Regimens in Patients With Advanced Stage Melanoma.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) gene, an inhibitor of T-cell priming, are associated with auto and alloimmunity. Studies implied a role for these SNPs as surrogate markers for immunotherapy-outcome in patients with melanoma. However, no predictive SNPs are defined to date.

Similar local recurrence and survival in patients with T1 radial growth phase melanoma on head and neck treated with 5 or 10 mm margins: A retrospective study.

Background: Melanoma guidelines recommend surgical excision with 10 mm margins for T1 melanomas (invasive melanomas with Breslow thickness ≤1 mm), including those in radial growth phase, which are without metastatic potential; however, such margins may be problematic on head-and-neck.

Objective: We compared outcomes of wide (10 mm margins) versus narrow (5 mm margins) excisions in patients with radial growth phase T1 melanoma on head-and-neck including face.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 610 consecutive patients excised with wide versus narrow margins, from 2001 to 2018, at six European centres.

Analysis of Sentinel Node Biopsy and Clinicopathologic Features as Prognostic Factors in Patients With Atypical Melanocytic Tumors.

Background: Atypical melanocytic tumors (AMTs) include a wide spectrum of melanocytic neoplasms that represent a challenge for clinicians due to the lack of a definitive diagnosis and the related uncertainty about their management. This study analyzed clinicopathologic features and sentinel node status as potential prognostic factors in patients with AMTs.

Patients And Methods: Clinicopathologic and follow-up data of 238 children, adolescents, and adults with histologically proved AMTs consecutively treated at 12 European centers from 2000 through 2010 were retrieved from prospectively maintained databases.

Granular cell tumor of the breast: a multidisciplinary challenge.

Granular cell tumors are rare soft tissue tumors; they are almost never malignant, but can mimic a carcinoma clinically, radiologically and microscopically. The finding of a suspicious lump often entails subsequent diagnostic procedures that can pose significant anxiety on patients before reaching a challenging differential diagnosis. The physical and psychological burden is even more significant when such findings occur during the follow up of a previous oncologic condition.

Opportunistic screening strategy for cutaneous melanoma does not change the incidence of nodular and thick lesions nor reduce mortality: a population-based descriptive study in the European region with the highest incidence.

The aim of the present population-based descriptive study was to evaluate the incidence and mortality trends for melanoma to gain insights on the effectiveness of opportunistic secondary prevention strategies. Data on all invasive cutaneous melanoma cases occurring between 1996 and 2011 were retrieved from the Ticino Cancer Registry, southern Switzerland. The European age-standardized incidence rates were computed by the period of diagnosis, Breslow thickness and histological types.

Presence of cytogenetic abnormalities in Spitz naevi: a diagnostic challenge for fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis.

Aims: Spitz naevi are difficult to diagnose, because of significant overlap with melanomas. It has been recently demonstrated that the LSI RREB1(6p25)/LSI MYB(6q23)/LSI CCND1(11q13)/CEP6 fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) assay is a reliable tool with which to distinguish benign naevi and melanomas. Little is known about its diagnostic usefulness in Spitz naevi.

FK-506 ointment: an effective adjuvant therapy to treat a dramatic case of pyoderma gangrenosum of unilateral hand.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a cutaneous ulcer developing so rapidly that may mimic a fulminating infection. The correct treatment is nonsurgical, and surgery may get the condition worse.1 FK-506 ointment (0.