Association of Incident Amelanotic Melanoma With Phenotypic Characteristics, MC1R Status, and Prior Amelanotic Melanoma.

Importance: We previously reported that survival is poorer from histopathologically amelanotic than pigmented melanoma because of more advanced stage at diagnosis. Identifying patients at risk of amelanotic melanoma might enable earlier diagnosis and improved survival; however, the phenotypic characteristics and underlying genetics associated with amelanotic melanoma are unknown.

Objective: To determine whether phenotypic characteristics, carriage of MC1R variants, and history of amelanotic melanoma are associated with histopathologically amelanotic melanoma.

Comparison of clinicopathologic features and survival of histopathologically amelanotic and pigmented melanomas: a population-based study.

IMPORTANCE Previous studies have reported that histopathologically amelanotic melanoma is associated with poorer survival than pigmented melanoma; however, small numbers of amelanotic melanomas, selected populations, lack of centralized pathologic review, or no adjustment for stage limit the interpretation or generalization of results from prior studies.OBJECTIVE To compare melanoma-specific survival between patients with histopathologically amelanotic and those with pigmented melanoma in a large international population-based study.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Survival analysis with a median follow-up of 7.

Systemic treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis with azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil.

Severe forms of atopic dermatitis (AD) cause significant morbidity in vulnerable pediatric populations and necessitate treatment with systemic therapy. The existing literature concerning the treatment of severe pediatric AD with azathioprine (AZ) and mycophenolate mofetil (MM) is sparse. The purpose of this case series is to examine the use of these two drugs in the treatment of severe pediatric AD.

Benchmarking US Department of Veterans Affairs dermatologic services: results from a national survey.

Background: How well Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dermatology services provide clinical care, medical education, and innovative research is a largely unexplored topic in the literature.

Objective: We sought to benchmark VA dermatology services by surveying VA dermatologists about their environment, resources, and the pros and cons of working in the VA.

Methods: Printed surveys were mailed to VA dermatologists and responses were compiled and analyzed.