Hydrochlorothiazide and increased risk of atypical fibroxanthoma and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous work has demonstrated that hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a risk factor for squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and basal cell carcinomas (BCC) due to pro-photocarcinogenic effects. Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic sarcoma (PDS), both ultraviolet-induced cancers, display a rare but rising cutaneous tumor entity. This study aimed to evaluate if the use of HCTZ is higher in patients with AFX/PDS than in patients with SCC/BCC and subsequently may be a risk factor for AFX/PDS-development. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study of four German skin cancer centers, AFX/PDS cases and SCC/BCC controls were sex and age matched (1:3) over a time-period of 7 years (2013-2019) to evaluate the use of HCTZ, immunosuppressive medication, second malignancies, and presence of diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: Overall, 146 AFX/PDS and 438 controls (SCC/BCC) were included in the study. The use of HCTZ was significantly higher in patients with AFX/PDS (44.5%) compared to patients with SCC/BCC (25.3%). Additionally, the presence of diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in AFX/PDS patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a significantly higher use of HCTZ in patients with AFX/PDS compared to SCC/BCC. This result suggests that HCTZ may be a risk factor for AFX/PDS. Additionally, diabetes mellitus or its comorbidities may be associated with an increased risk for AFX/PDS.

Increase of atypical fibroxanthoma and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma: a retrospective analysis of four German skin cancer centers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In recent years, considerable insight has been gained into the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous sarcomas, including atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS). Both entities have shown increasing incidence rates in the last decade. This study was initiated to evaluate how these new insights impact the number of diagnoses of AFX/PDS compared to other cutaneous sarcoma entities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study of four German skin cancer centers, all histopathological reports of cutaneous sarcomas (AFX, PDS, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, cutaneous leiomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma, and Kaposi sarcoma) confirmed by board-certified dermatopathologists were analyzed during a time-period of seven years (2013-2019). Additionally, utilization of immunohistochemical markers (including pan-cytokeratin, S100, desmin, CD34, CD10, procollagen-1, CD99, CD14, and CD68) as an adjunct to diagnose AFX/PDS was recorded. RESULTS: Overall, 255 cutaneous sarcomas were included in the present study. The diagnosis of a cutaneous sarcoma has consequently risen from 2013 to 2019 (from 16 to 52 annual cases). The results of AFX/PDS revealed 4.6 times more diagnoses in 2019 than in 2013. Atypical fibroxanthoma represented the most common subtype, displaying 49.3 % of all diagnosed cutaneous sarcomas. Additionally, the increase of AFX/PDS was linked to the use of immunohistochemistry, with specific immunohistochemical markers used in 57.1 % of cases in 2013 compared to 100 % in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study of four German skin cancer centers demonstrates a substantial rise of AFX/PDS, possibly due to recently established diagnostic and terminology standards. This rise is probably linked to increased utilization of specific immunohistochemical markers. Atypical fibroxanthoma/PDS may be more common than previously thought and seems to represent the most frequent cutaneous sarcoma subtype.

Zunahme des atypischen Fibroxanthoms und pleomorphen dermalen Sarkoms: eine retrospektive Analyse vier deutscher Hauttumorzentren.

HINTERGRUND UND ZIELE: In den letzten Jahren konnten umfassende Erkenntnisse über die Pathogenese, Diagnostik und Behandlung von kutanen Sarkomen, insbesondere des atypischen Fibroxanthoms (AFX) und pleomorphen dermalen Sarkoms (PDS) gesammelt werden. Beide Entitäten zeigten innerhalb der letzten Dekade steigende Inzidenzraten. Die vorliegende Studie diente der Untersuchung, welchen Einfluss die neuen Erkenntnisse auf die Fallzahlen von AFX/PDS im Vergleich zu anderen Sarkom-Entitäten haben. PATIENTEN UND METHODIK: Diese retrospektive Studie wurde an vier deutschen Hauttumorzentren durchgeführt und alle von zertifizierten Dermatopathologen bestätigten histopathologischen Befunde von kutanen Sarkomen (AFX, PDS, Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, kutanes Leiomyosarkom, Angiosarkom und Kaposi-Sarkom) in einem Zeitraum von sieben Jahren (2013-2019) evaluiert. Zusätzlich wurde der Einsatz von immunhistochemischen Markern als diagnostische Hilfe (Panzytokeratin, S100, Desmin, CD34, CD10, Prokollagen-1, CD99, CD14 und CD68) erfasst. ERGEBNISSE: Insgesamt konnten 255 kutane Sarkome in die vorliegende Studie eingeschlossen werden. Die Zahl der kutanen Sarkome nahm kontinuierlich von 2013 bis 2019 zu (von 16 auf 52 Fälle im Jahr). Die Diagnose eines AFX/PDS konnte in 2019 4,6-mal häufiger als in 2013 gestellt werden. Das AFX stellte mit 49,3 % aller kutanen Sarkome den häufigsten Sarkom-Subtypen dar. Zusätzlich war der Anstieg von AFX/PDS mit dem Einsatz von Immunhistochemie assoziiert. Der Einsatz von spezifischen Immunhistochemischen Markern stieg von 57,1 % im Jahr 2013 auf 100 % in 2019. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Diese retrospektive Studie von vier deutschen Hauttumorzentren demonstriert eine substanzielle Zunahme von AFX/PDS, wahrscheinlich infolge kürzlich etablierter beziehungsweise verbesserter diagnostischer und terminologischer Standards. Dieser Anstieg ist vermutlich mit dem vermehrten Einsatz von bestimmten immunhistochemischen Markern assoziiert. AFX/PDS treten wahrscheinlich häufiger auf als bisher vermutet und repräsentieren möglicherweise den häufigsten kutanen Sarkom-Subtyp.

Anal dysplasia and anal cancer. English version.

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) and 89-100% of anal cancers are caused by persistent infections with high-risk (HR) human papillomaviruses (HPV). In HIV-positive patients, anal HPV infection and AIN are very common and these patients have a significantly increased risk for anal cancer. However, a continuous increase in the incidence of anal cancer has also been observed in the general population in recent decades. AIN can clinically present in diverse manners. In HIV-positive patients AIN can be hidden in condylomas. Approximately 3-14% of high-grade AIN progress to anal cancer within 5 years. Therefore, screening examinations should be offered to patients with an increased risk for anal cancer. The treatment options for AIN are similar to those for condylomas. HIV-positive patients with controlled immune status and HIV-negative patients with anal cancer respond comparably well to combined radiochemotherapy. A German-language S3 guideline for anal cancer will be available in 2020. In HIV-positive patients over 26 years of age, HPV vaccination showed no effect in a controlled phase­3 study. To prevent AIN and anal cancer in the future, HPV vaccination rates need to be increased in HPV-naïve girls and boys.

[Anal dysplasia and anal cancer]. / Anale Dysplasien und Analkarzinom.

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) and 89-100% of anal cancers are caused by persistent infections with high-risk (HR) human papillomaviruses (HPV). In HIV-positive patients, anal HPV infection and AIN are very common and these patients have a greatly increased risk of developing anal cancer. However, a continuous increase in the incidence of anal cancer has also been observed in the general population in recent decades. AIN can clinically present in diverse manners. In HIV-positive patients AIN can be hidden in condylomas. Furthermore, 3-14% of high-grade AIN progress to anal cancer within 5 years. Therefore, screening examinations should be offered to patients with an increased risk for anal cancer. The treatment options for AIN are similar to those for condylomas. HIV-positive patients with controlled immune status and HIV-negative patients with anal cancer respond comparably well to combined radiochemotherapy. A German-language AWMF S3 guideline for anal cancer will be available in 2020. In HIV-positive patients over 26 years of age, HPV vaccination showed no effect in a controlled phase­3 study. To prevent AIN and anal cancer in the future, HPV vaccination rates need to be increased in HPV-naïve girls and boys.

[Squamous cell carcinoma arising in oral lichen planus : Report of two cases]. / Plattenepithelkarzinom auf dem Boden eines oralen Lichen planus : Bericht zweier Fälle.

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory, immunologically mediated mucocutaneous dermatosis. Lichen planus mucosae predominantly affects the oral cavity. Various trigger factors such as bacterial or viral infections, drugs or physical stimuli are discussed in the development of the disease. An association with human papillomavirus infections has also been described, but is not sufficiently proven. Lichen planus mucosae is considered as a premalignant condition, but the malignant transformation rate is low. The risk of malignant transformation is significantly increased in patients with oral lichen planus who smoke, drink alcohol or have hepatitis C. We describe two patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma that developed on a longstanding oral lichen planus. Both cases were successfully treated with radical tumor resection, subsequent tissue reconstruction, and adjuvant radiation/radiochemotherapy.

No Evidence for Role of Cutavirus in Malignant Melanoma.

Cutavirus was previously found in cutaneous melanoma. We detected cutavirus DNA in only 2/185 melanoma biopsies and in 0/52 melanoma metastases from patients in Germany. Viral DNA was localized in the upper epidermal layers. Swab specimens from healthy skin were cutavirus positive for 3.8% (9/237) of immunocompetent and 17.1% (35/205) of HIV-positive men.

Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Induced Squamous Cell Carcinoma (In situ) of the Toes.

is missing (Short communication).

[Atypical variant of hand-foot-mouth disease]. / Atypische Hand-Fuß-Mund-Krankheit.

An atypical variant of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) has sporadically been reported in recent years, with outbreaks in Europe, Asia, the USA and South America. A new lineage of Coxsackie virus A6 has been identified as the causative agent, a virus-type belonging to the group of enteroviruses. HFMD is transmitted through droplet infection or through faecal-oral transmission. The disease may begin with a prodromal stage and is often accompanied by fever and malaise. Typical skin findings include a papular and vesiculobullous exanthema that might be accompanied by confluent blisters (bullae), crusting, and ulceration. In contrast to "classic" HFMD, predilection sites include the dorsal aspects of the hands and feet, forearms, lower legs, neck and trunk. Oral lesions may be present, but are less often seen compared to "classic" HFMD. The course of the disease is self-limiting, with complete resolution usually within 7-14 days after disease onset. The treatment of atypical HFMD is usually symptomatic. A diagnosis of atypical HFMD might be challenging due to the polymorphous presentation of the disease. This review describes a rarely reported but more frequently diagnosed viral condition.