Skin Cancer in Skin of Color.

Skin cancer is often associated with greater morbidity and mortality in skin of color patients because most medical literature and research on skin cancer to date has been predominantly focused on lighter skin types. It is crucial that dermatologic providers be able to recognize different presentations of skin cancer in skin of color patients to optimize the early detection of these tumors and ensure equitable outcomes. This article details the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical features, and disparities in the treatment of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and mycosis fungoides subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in skin of color patients.

Grassroots Approach to Forming a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in an Academic Radiology Department.

Radiology is among the medical specialties that have made the fewest gains in closing the gap in underrepresented minorities and women. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are important for promoting healthy learning environments for trainees, health equity for patients, and equitable career development opportunities for employees, all of which contribute to innovation in today's competitive health care environment. DEI committees can self-organize or form from institutional directives. These committees can implement impactful projects in multiple domains in education, recruitment and retention, department culture, and health equity research. This article describes the formation of a grassroots DEI committee, key initiatives and strategies, and structures for accountability. ©RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives in Dermatology Organizations.

Over the past few years, there have been concerted efforts to increase diversity in the field of dermatology. This has been achieved through the creation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in dermatology organizations that strive to provide resources and opportunities for trainees who are underrepresented in medicine. This article compiles the ongoing DEI initiatives in the American Academy of Dermatology, Women's Dermatologic Society, Association of Professors of Dermatology Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, Skin of Color Society, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, The Dermatology Section of the National Medical Association, and Society for Pediatric Dermatology.

Hiding in Plain Sight: A Retrospective Review of Unrecognized Tumors During Dermatologic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery requires focused attention that may lead to tunnel vision bias, contributing to not recognizing skin cancer at nearby sites. OBJECTIVE: It is to determine if a subsequently diagnosed skin cancer was visible at the time of Mohs surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed at a single academic center from 2008 to 2020. Patients who underwent at least two distinct MMS procedures, separated in time to capture subsequent tumors, were included. RESULTS: Four hundred and four individual patients were identified with at least two distinct Mohs procedures, which generated 1,110 Mohs sequences. Fifty-one (4.6%) clinically apparent tumors went unrecognized and 127 (11.4%) tumors were identified and biopsied during the visit. High-risk tumor histology was identified in 10 (20%) unrecognized tumors and 31 (24%) recognized tumors (p-value 0.491). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that Mohs surgeons may be overlooking adjacent skin cancers when focusing only on the tumor being surgically treated. Tunnel vision bias may account for part of this phenomenon.

Micropore Closure Rates following Microneedle Application at Various Anatomical Sites in Healthy Human Subjects.

INTRODUCTION: The continuous availability of open micropores is crucial for a successful microneedle (MN) drug delivery strategy. However, micropore lifetime depends on intrinsic skin functional and anatomical characteristics, which vary significantly at different anatomical sites. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study explored if differences exist in micropore closure timeframes at 3 anatomical sites - upper arm, volar forearm, and abdomen. METHODS: Healthy subjects (n = 35) self-identifying as Asian (n = 9), Bi-/multiracial (n = 2), Black (n = 9), Latino (n = 6), and White (n = 9) completed the study. The upper arm, volar forearm, and abdomen were treated with MNs; skin impedance and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at baseline and post-MN to confirm micropore formation. Impedance was measured for 3 days to evaluate micropore lifetime. Measurements of L*, which quantifies the skin lightness/darkness, were made using a tristimulus colorimeter. Micropore lifetime was determined by comparing baseline and post-MN impedance measurements, and micropore closure half-life was predicted using mathematical modeling. RESULTS: Post-MN increase in TEWL and decrease in impedance were significant (p < 0.05), confirming successful micropore formation at all anatomical sites. When data were analyzed according to subject self-identified racial/ethnic groups, the mean micropore closure time at the abdomen (63.09 ± 13.13 h) was longer than the upper arm (60.34 ± 14.69 h) and volar forearm (58.29 ± 16.76 h). The predicted micropore closure half-life at anatomical sites was the abdomen (25.86 ± 14.96 h) ≈ upper arm (23.69 ± 13.67 h) > volar forearm (20.2 ± 11.99 h). Differences were not statistically significant between groups. Objective categorization by L* showed that the darker skin may be associated with longer micropore closure time at the abdomen site. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that anatomical site of application may not be a source of significant variability in micropore closure time. These findings may help reduce the number of physiological parameters that need to be explicitly considered when developing drug products to support MN-assisted drug delivery strategies.

Synthetic hair extensions causing irritant contact dermatitis in patients with a history of atopy: A report of 10 cases.

BACKGROUND: We present a case series of 10, atopic, African women who developed irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) from synthetic hair extensions. METHODS: Ten consecutive African female patients who presented with a pruritic cutaneous eruption on the neck over a period of 2 years are described. Patients underwent skin patch testing using both standard and hair commercial patch test panels and samples of their own hair extensions. Hair care products were not tested. RESULTS: All 10 patients used synthetic hair extensions. A strong history of atopy was documented for all the patients and examination was significant for eczematous, lichenified plaques at the location of contact with the free end of the hair extension. Patch test results yielded no relevant reactivity and a diagnosis of ICD was made for all patients. The lesions resolved completely on removal of the hair extensions and the use of topical steroids and emollients, dependent on eczema severity. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial hair extensions should be considered as a potential irritant, resulting in ICD. Patients with a history of atopy are at risk of developing ICD from synthetic hair extensions.

Micropore closure time is longer following microneedle application to skin of color.

Microneedles (MNs) allow transdermal delivery of skin-impermeable drugs by creating transient epidermal micropores, and micropore lifetime directly affects drug diffusion timeframes. Healthy subjects (n = 111) completed the study, self-identifying as Asian (n = 32), Bi-/multi-racial (n = 10), Black (n = 22), White (n = 23), Latino (n = 23), and Native American/Hawaiian (n = 1). L* was measured with tristimulus colorimetry to objectively describe skin lightness/darkness. MNs were applied to the upper arm; impedance and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured at baseline and post-MN to confirm micropore formation. Impedance was repeated for 4 days to determine micropore lifetime. Post-MN changes in TEWL and impedance were significant in all groups (p < 0.05), confirming micropore formation regardless of skin type. Micropore lifetime was significantly longer in Blacks (66.5 ± 19.5 h) versus Asians (44.1 ± 14.0 h), Bi-/multi-racial (48.0 ± 16.0 h), and Whites (50.2 ± 2.6 h). Latinos (61.1 ± 16.1 h) had significantly longer micropore closure time versus Asians (44.1 ± 14.0 h). When categorizing data according to L*, micropore lifetime was significantly longer in darker skin. We report for the first time that micropore lifetime differences are present in human subjects of different ethnic/racial backgrounds, with longer micropore lifetime in skin of color. These results also suggest that objectively measured skin color is a better predictor of micropore lifetime than self-identified race/ethnicity.

How to obtain a dermatology residency: a guide targeted to underrepresented in medicine medical students.

Efforts to increase diversity have been put forth by the Skin of Color Society (SOCS) to assist underrepresented in medicine (UIM) students during their pursuit of dermatology. Increasing diversity in dermatology relies on efforts from students and mentors established in dermatology. This article highlights and summarizes key guidelines from the SOCS.

Assessing the Feasibility of an Alternative Payment Model for Mohs Micrographic Surgery at an Academic Center.

BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a cost-effective treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer that bundles costs for surgical excision, tissue processing, and histopathological interpretation. A comprehensive MMS bundle would include all aspects of an episode of care (EOC), including costs of reconstruction, preoperative, and postoperative care. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of an alternative payment model for MMS and reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective chart review and payment analysis for 848 consecutive patients with 1,056 tumors treated with MMS. Average Medicare payment of an EOC was compared with bundles based on specific repair types. RESULTS: The bundle for a flap/graft repair averaged $1,028.08 (confidence interval [CI] 95% $951.37-1,104.79), whereas the bundle for a linear closure (LC) averaged $585.07 (CI 95% $558.75-611.38). The average bundle including all repairs was $730.05 (CI 95% $692.31-767.79), which was statistically significant from both the flap/graft and LC bundles. CONCLUSION: Bundling surgical repairs with MMS based on an average payment does not represent the heterogeneity of the care provided and results in either underpayment or overpayment for a substantial portion of cases. Consequently, EOC payments bundling MMS and surgical repairs would inaccurately reimburse physicians for work completed. Current payment methodology allows for accurate payment for this already cost-effective therapy.

1550-nm Nonablative Fractional Laser Versus 10,600-nm Ablative Fractional Laser in the Treatment of Surgical and Traumatic Scars: A Comparison Study on Efficacy and Treatment Regimen.

BACKGROUND: The appearance and symptoms of scars can cause significant distress to patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare efficacy of the 1,500-nm nonablative fractional laser (NAFL) and 10,600-nm ablative fractional laser (AFL) in reducing symptoms and improving the appearance of traumatic or surgical scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-center prospective, randomized, blinded, split-scar study was conducted on 100 patients with a scar obtained through trauma or surgery. Three treatments of NAFL or AFL were administered to each half of the scar at 4-week intervals. Scars were self-rated by the patient using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and a satisfaction score and objectively evaluated by blinded dermatologists using the Manchester Scar Scale and visual analog scale. RESULTS: Blinded observers found no statistically significant difference in scar appearance. Patient rating showed improvement of scar appearance (p < .0001). Pain was worse after treatment with AFL (p = .0492). Overall, there was no statistically significant evidence of one laser being superior or inferior to the other for patient and blinded observer scores (p = .3173 and p = .2513, respectively). CONCLUSION: Scar treatment with AFL or NAFL is associated with high patient satisfaction. Objective evaluation of scars did not identify improvement in scar appearance.

Assessing factors affecting sunscreen use and barriers to compliance: a cross-sectional survey-based study.

While sunscreen is effective prevention for skin cancer, public sunscreen use and compliance are low. Identifying factors affecting sunscreen use and barriers to compliance are important to understand in order to increase sunscreen use, especially among high-risk individuals. We conducted a single institution survey of 429 dermatology clinic patients to better understand patients' barriers to sunscreen use. Overall several personal barriers to sunscreen use included dislike of feel or appearance of sunscreen (33.7%) and time constraints (15.3%). The cost was a barrier to use in 16.4% of cases underscoring the importance for dermatologists to consider socioeconomic barriers to sunscreen use and provide cost-effective sun protection counseling to patients whenever possible. Dermatologists recommending sunscreen use was associated with a higher rate of use of sunscreen (p < .001) highlighting the important role of sun protective counseling by the dermatologist.