The role of radiation therapy in the management of skin cancers.

The use of radiation therapy in the management of skin cancer is variable and often anecdotal. Applied as both primary and adjuvant therapy in patients with both nonmelanoma skin cancer and rarer tumors of the skin, a consensus regarding optimal dosing regimens has not yet been reached. Herein, the authors outline the basic concepts of radiation therapy for tumors of the skin and review its use for high-risk nonmelanoma skin cancer, as well as less common malignancies, including angiosarcoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and sebaceous carcinoma.

Association between IL13 polymorphisms and psoriatic arthritis is modified by smoking.

Genetic and environmental factors influence the development of psoriasis (Ps) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Recently, we reported that three IL13 polymorphisms, rs1800925, rs20541, and rs848, on chromosome 5q31 conferred the risk for Ps. IL13 encodes IL-13, a Th2 cytokine, and rs1800925 and rs20541 confer risk of asthma.

Morpheaform basal cell carcinoma in African Americans.

Background: Although it has been established that basal cell carcinoma is an uncommon diagnosis in black patients, the morpheaform subtype is very rare among these individuals.

Objective: The objective is to present two cases of morpheaform basal cell carcinoma in African-American patients.

Methods: This is a case series and a literature review using the Ovid Medline Database.