What Is Melanoma?

This JAMA Patient Page describes melanoma, its risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Two Cases With Features of Lymphocyte Variant Hypereosinophilic Syndrome With STAT3 SH2 Domain Mutations.

Lymphocyte variant hypereosinophilic syndrome (LV-HES) is a rare cause of eosinophilia that is due to eosinophilipoietic cytokine production by an immunophenotypically abnormal T-cell clone. The molecular pathogenesis of this disorder is largely unknown and only 1 case of LV-HES with a pathogenic STAT3 mutation has been described thus far. Here we report 2 cases of LV-HES with STAT3 SH2 domain mutations. These cases further support the model that activation of STAT3 signaling through STAT3 SH2 domain mutations is a recurrent event in LV-HES.

Safety of light emitting diode-red light on human skin: Two randomized controlled trials.

Therapeutic applications of light emitting diode-red light (LED-RL) are expanding, yet data on its clinical effects are lacking. Our goal was to evaluate the safety of high fluence LED-RL (≥160 J/cm2 ). In two phase I, single-blind, dose escalation, randomized controlled trials, healthy subjects received LED-RL or mock irradiation to the forearm thrice weekly for 3 weeks at fluences of 160-640 J/cm2 for all skin types (STARS 1, n = 60) and at 480-640 J/cm2 for non-Hispanic Caucasians (STARS 2, n = 55). The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse events (AEs). The maximum tolerated dose was the highest fluence that did not elicit predefined AEs. Dose-limiting AEs, including blistering and prolonged erythema, occurred at 480 J/cm2 in STARS 1 (n = 1) and 640 J/cm2 in STARS 2 (n = 2). AEs of transient erythema and hyperpigmentation were mild. No serious AEs occurred. We determined that LED-RL is safe up to 320 J/cm2 for skin of color and 480 J/cm2 for non-Hispanic Caucasian individuals. LED-RL may exert differential cutaneous effects depending on race and ethnicity, with darker skin being more photosensitive. These findings may guide future studies to evaluate the efficacy of LED-RL for the treatment of various diseases.

A single-blind, dose-escalation, phase I study of high-fluence light-emitting diode-red light on Caucasian non-Hispanic skin: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Visible light (400 to 700 nm) is common in our environment, comprising 44% of total solar radiation and a large component of environmental light exposure. The effects of visible light on skin remain undefined. The red light portion of the visible spectrum (600 to 700 nm) may be used to treat skin diseases as a monotherapeutic modality or in combination with other agents. Light-emitting diode-red light (LED-RL) phototherapy may represent an important advance in light-based treatment modalities because it is non-invasive, inexpensive, portable, and easily combinable with other therapies. We previously determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of high-fluence LED-RL (HF-LED-RL) in skin of color individuals to be 320 J/cm2. To the best of our knowledge, no clinical trials have been performed to determine the safety of higher doses of HF-LED-RL in Caucasian non-Hispanic individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of HF-LED-RL at doses of 480 and 640 J/cm2 in healthy Caucasian non-Hispanic individuals. METHODS: This is a single-blind, dose-escalation, randomized, controlled, phase I trial titled Safety Trial Assessing Red-light on Skin (STARS) 2. Healthy subjects will be randomly assigned to groups of five (three subjects randomly assigned to HF-LED-RL phototherapy and two subjects randomly assigned to mock therapy). Subjects in group 1 will receive HF-LED-RL or mock irradiation at the starting dose of 480 J/cm2, and the dose will be escalated in the subsequent group (group 2) to 640 J/cm2. The MTD is defined as the dose level below the dose at which two or more subjects (>20% of the cohort) experience a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). After either the MTD is established or the study endpoint of 640 J/cm2 is achieved, additional HF-LED-RL phototherapy subjects and mock therapy subjects will be enrolled at that fluence (group 3) for a total number of up to 60 subjects. Each subject will receive a total of nine irradiation sessions, three times per week for three consecutive weeks. DISCUSSION: This follow-up study aims to provide important knowledge about safety and cutaneous effects of HF-LED-RL phototherapy of 480 and 640 J/cm2 in Caucasian non-Hispanic subjects. The importance of this clinical trial is that it may establish new treatment paradigms and a safety profile for LED-RL based on race and ethnicity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03433222 . Registered on February 1, 2018 - Retrospectively registered. Protocol date and version: January 12, 2018; version 1.

Medical and aesthetic procedural dermatology recommendations for transgender patients undergoing transition.

Transgender individuals may transition to their identified gender through social, hormonal, and procedural methods by using a multidisciplinary team of health care providers, including dermatologists. In this review, we discuss the medical and aesthetic dermatologic needs related to the transitioning of transgender patients and provide therapeutic and procedural recommendations. In addition to routine cutaneous conditions, dermatologists may need to treat hormonal therapy-related complications. Acumen for genital dermatology and familiarity with gender reassignment surgery is important for the dermatologist caring for a transgender patient. From a structural standpoint, transgender beauty poses a unique aesthetic task. We identify key differences in the facial structure and physique of males versus those of females. Dermatologists may have a tremendous impact on the lives of transgender individuals who seek to realize their gender identity.

Combined Hyperthermic 1060nm Diode Laser Lipolysis With Topical Skin Tightening Treatment: Case Series.

BACKGROUND: As body contouring procedures have become more popular, post-procedural skin laxity is a concern. Non-invasive body contouring technologies may effectively reduce body fat, but modestly affect skin tightening. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of a topical skin tightening agent in combination with hyperthermic diode laser lipolysis. METHODS: Herein, we describe five patients in which a skin tightening concentrate of 5% yeast extract, 2% hydrolyzed rice protein content, and 2.5% tripeptide was used after 1500-2100 J/cm2 of hyperthermic 1060 nm diode laser. RESULTS: Overall, all patients had a subjective positive response and high satisfaction with the combined treatment results of improvement in skin laxity and fat reduction. In all five cases, patients demonstrated visible fat reduction and skin improvement on photographs taken between weeks 6-18 compared to baseline. Blinded investigators correctly predicted the order of the photographs based on treatment results. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: This case series demonstrated that a combined topical skin tightening concentrate with a hyperthermic laser lipolysis device may achieve improved aesthetic outcomes without adverse events. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(7):780-785.

Patient Reported Improvement in Quality of Life Associated With Successful Laser Hair Reduction at Hemodialysis Site With 1064-nm Nd:YAG Laser.

Laser hair reduction is a well-established modality for a wide range of medical indications. Laser hair reduction can be beneficial for hemodialysis patients who undergo repeated adhesive tape application and removal at their hemodialysis site during hemodialysis sessions. There is a paucity of published literature on efficacious laser hair removal treatments for hemodialysis patients. Herein, we present a case of a 50-year-old male (Fitzpatrick III) with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, who achieved successful laser hair reduction at his hemodialysis vascular access site with five sessions of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (1064 nm) to improve his quality of life by reducing the hair burden at the adhesive tape site application. We recommend providing this safe and effective hair reduction treatment option for hemodialysis patients given the decreased quality of life associated with end stage renal disease and hemodialysis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(7):794-795.