Investigator-blinded, controlled, and randomized comparative study on 1565 nm non-ablative fractional laser versus 5% minoxidil for treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Characterized by progressive hair loss due to an excessive response to androgens, androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects up to 50% of males and females. Minoxidil is one of approved medications for AGA but inadequate responses occur in many patients. AIMS: To determine whether 1565 nm non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) could yield better therapeutic benefits for patients with AGA as compared with 5% minoxidil. METHODS: Thirty patients with AGA were enrolled; they were randomly assigned into the laser or minoxidil treatment groups. For the laser treatment group, patients were treated by 1565 nm NAFL at 10 mJ, 250 spots/cm2 with 2 weeks intervals for 4 sessions in total. For the minoxidil treatment group, 1-milliliter of topical 5% minoxidil solution was applied to hair loss area twice a day. RESULTS: The primary outcomes were the changes in numerous hair growth indexes at the Week 10 as compared with the baselines. Both 1565 nm NAFL and 5% minoxidil led to significantly greater hair densities and diameters in patients at the Week 10 than the baselines (p < 0.01). As compared with 5% minoxidil, 1565 nm NAFL showed significantly greater improvements in total hair number, total hair density (hair/cm2), terminal hair number, terminal hair density (hair/cm2), number of hair follicle units, and average hair number/number of hair follicle units. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that 1565 nm NAFL exhibits superior clinical efficacy in some aspects of hair growth to the topical minoxidil. It is a safe and effective modality in treating AGA.

A Case of CD5-Positive Primary Cutaneous Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Leg Type Secondary to Chronic Lymphedema.

ABSTRACT: Primary cutaneous lymphoma occurring at the site of lymphedema is a rare complication. A total of 13 cases of primary cutaneous lymphoma associated with chronic lymphedema have been reported in international studies. We reported a case of cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (leg type) secondary to chronic lymphedema of the lower limbs. Histopathology showed hyperkeratosis of epidermis, acanthosis, and significant edema in the superficial dermis, with diffuse mononuclear infiltration in the dermis. Immunohistochemical studies revealed the expression of CD5, CD20, Pax-5, Bcl-2, Bcl-6, MUM-1, c-myc, and Ki-67. Therefore, the diagnosis of cutaneous DLBCL (leg type) was made. The study further confirmed the association between lymphoma and lymphedema. Especially, it showed CD5 expression. CD5-positive DLBCLs is a specific subgroup of DLBCLs, only approximately 10% of DLBCLs express CD5.