Comparison of Grenz ray and photodynamic therapy for field treatment of actinic keratoses on the forearm: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Actinic Keratosis is an intraepidermal neoplasm that represents the second most common reason for dermatologic visits in the United States. Sustained clearance with existing therapies is highly variable. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of combination and monotherapy with photodynamic therapy (PDT), grenz ray therapy, and PDT with microneedling (microchannel skin system) for actinic damage of the dorsal forearms and hands. METHODS: Full ethics approval was obtained through a Human Subjects Committee. Four patients with diffuse actinic field damage on their forearms and hands were recruited for the study. The dorsal forearm and hand from the elbow to the metacarpophalangeal joint were divided into four equal sections. Section 1 was treated with PDT. Section 2 was treated with grenz ray. Section 3 was treated with PDT plus microneedling. Section 4 was treated with grenz ray and PDT with microneedling. Lesion counts were recorded with transparent grids, photographed and evaluated by the same investigator at baseline, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: At month 6 post treatment, lesion counts, as a per cent reduction from baseline, were 91.7% in section 1 (PDT); 97.3% in section 2 (grenz ray); 92.9% in section 3 (PDT + microneedle); and 93.9% in section 4 (grenz ray + PDT + microneedle). CONCLUSION: The greatest reduction occurred in the grenz ray monotherapy section and the second greatest reduction in the grenz ray, PDT, microneedling section. Further research on the efficacy of grenz ray therapy for field treatment of actinic keratosis of the forearms and hands is needed.

A possible chemopreventive role for photodynamic therapy in Gorlin syndrome: a report of basal cell carcinoma reduction and review of literature.

Multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are a significant cause of morbidity and disfigurement in patients with naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS). Chemopreventive strategies are needed to reduce the formation of new BCC in these patients. Appropriate evidence-based guidelines for photodynamic therapy chemoprevention in NBCCS do not exist. We herein report one patient treated with methyl aminolevulinate PDT with red light (630 nm) activation to continue sustained chemoprevention following other BCC chemopreventive modalities and a relevant literature review.

Urticaria after methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy in a patient with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.

Methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) is utilized in several countries for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, but allergic sensitization has been reported by the manufacturer. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of urticaria following MAL-PDT in a patient with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Prophylactic use of antihistamines may allow continued use of MAL-PDT in this setting.

Atypical pyoderma gangrenosum of the dorsal hand mimicking squamous cell carcinoma.

We describe a rare case of atypical pyoderma gangrenosum of the dorsal hand in a patient who presented with the histopathologic diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Atypical pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare variant of pyoderma gangrenosum that occurs on the upper extremities, presenting as a cutaneous ulcer. The correct treatment is nonsurgical, and surgical intervention often results in trauma-induced expansion of lesions. Pyoderma gangrenosum, most commonly mistaken for infection, has resulted in amputation. Histologic and clinical presentation 1 month after onset of symptoms in the patient reported here mimicked SCC. Awareness by hand surgeons of the possible histologic misdiagnosis of SCC at an early stage in the disease evolution and a high index of suspicion in the face of biopsy-proven SCC may prevent unnecessary digit amputation.

Superficial x-ray in the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas: a viable option in select patients.

BACKGROUND: Effective nonsurgical modalities are limited in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and viability of superficial x-ray therapy in the treatment of BCC and SCC in an outpatient setting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 1715 histologically confirmed primary cutaneous BCC and SCC treated with superficial x-ray therapy at Dermatology Associates of Tallahassee in Florida between 2000 and 2010. RESULTS: Of the 1715 tumors reviewed during this period, 712 were histologically proven BCC (631 nodular and 81 superficial), 994 were SCC (861 SCC in situ and 133 invasive SCC), and 9 displayed distinct features of both BCC and SCC in the same biopsy specimen. Kaplan-Meier estimates (with 95% confidence intervals) of cumulative recurrence rates of all tumors at 2 and 5 years were 1.9% (1%-2.7%) and 5.0% (3.2%-6.7%), respectively; of BCC at 2 and 5 years were 2% (0.8%-3.3%) and 4.2% (1.9%-6.4%), respectively; and of all SCC at 2 and 5 years were 1.8% (0.8%-2.8%) and 5.8% (2.9%-8.7%), respectively. Tumors on male patients and those with a diameter greater than 2 cm were associated with a statistically significant increase in recurrence likelihood. LIMITATIONS: This study represents only patients treated in 1 dermatology office in North Florida and may not be representative of the general patient population. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial x-ray therapy remains a viable nonsurgical option for the treatment of primary BCC and SCC in patients where surgical intervention is declined, unadvisable, or potentially associated with significant cosmetic or functional limitations.

Multiple secondary cutaneous tumours following electron beam radiotherapy for cutaneous malignancies of the scalp.

Electron beam radiation is a commonly used and effective treatment modality for cutaneous malignancies. Secondary cutaneous malignancies arising in electron beam treatment sites are rarely reported. We report on seven patients who developed multiple secondary tumours arising within and immediately around electron beam radiation treatment sites in the setting of treatment for diffuse primary disease or as adjunctive therapy for aggressive cutaneous malignancies.

Eruptive postoperative squamous cell carcinomas exhibiting a pathergy-like reaction around surgical wound sites.

BACKGROUND: The isomorphic response of Koebner and the pathergy skin reaction have not classically been associated with neoplastic processes such as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). OBJECTIVE: We report 5 patients who developed postoperative eruptive SCCs within and around the healed or healing sites of excised nonmelanoma skin cancers. The original cancers were all excised with histologically tumor-free margins and the subsequent eruptive SCCs were sometimes multiple. METHODS: We performed follow-up examinations of patient's wounds after the treatment of skin cancer with Mohs micrographic surgery. Keratotic nodules that developed acutely in the margins of healing wound sites of these patients were examined histologically by a single dermatopathologist. RESULTS: The tumors presented as rapidly growing keratotic nodules within the sites of previously excised cancers. The mean time of clinical appearance was approximately 6 weeks and histologic examination of the nodules demonstrated well-differentiated SCC. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its relatively small number of cases. CONCLUSION: Acutely eruptive SCC is a rare but significant postoperative complication of skin cancer surgery. Furthermore, this case series suggests that some individuals appear to be predisposed to this recurrent, pathergy-like reaction involving SCC.

Total-body cutaneous examination, total-body photography, and dermoscopy in the care of a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum and multiple melanomas.

BACKGROUND: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a defect in DNA repair and subsequent increased frequency of cutaneous malignant neoplasms, including melanoma. In patients with XP, patient and family education and aggressive UV radiation protection are the primary means of skin cancer prevention. An important secondary measure in decreasing morbidity and mortality in these patients involves early detection of skin cancers, particularly melanomas. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a 39-year-old woman with XP who developed 38 primary melanomas along with 6 squamous cell carcinomas and 70 basal cell carcinomas over a 23-year period. During this time, a 3-fold management approach of total-body cutaneous examination, total-body photography, and dermoscopy was used in the care of the patient. The thickest melanoma had a Breslow thickness of 1.07 mm, and the mean Breslow thickness of her detected melanomas was 0.18 mm. The ratio of benign to malignant biopsied suspicious melanocytic lesions during 23 years of follow-up was 0.9:1. All melanomas were treated using wide local excision, and she had no evidence of local or in-transit metastases of any of her malignant neoplasms at the most recent follow-up examination. Conclusion Monthly follow-up using total-body cutaneous examinations, total-body photography, and dermoscopy is an important 3-fold secondary management technique for this unique patient, allowing early detection of her melanomas.

Basal cell carcinoma and World War II-era cathode ray oscilloscope exposure.

BACKGROUND: There is a high prevalence of skin cancer in World War II servicemen stationed in the Pacific theater as a result of various risk factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation and genetic predisposition. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe whether a possible association exists between basal cell carcinoma (BCC) development and the use of high-voltage cathode ray tube (CRT) oscilloscopes manufactured around 1940 to 1955, which were a source of X-radiation. METHODS: We present a case series of 9 men aged 65 to 93 years who presented with similar head and neck distributions of BCC and a history of extensive use of early CRT oscilloscopes during and shortly after the World War II era. The patients were interviewed and their medical records reviewed to determine CRT exposure times and BCC location, subtype, and treatment. Representative BCC histologic sections were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 230 BCCs of the head and neck region were identified and mapped. Questionnaires determined a minimum exposure of 600 (range, 624-9600) hours within a 60-cm distance of early CRT screens in all patients. The average number of aggressive histologic subtypes was 23.5%. The average number of Mohs micrographic surgery layers required to obtain negative margins was 1.99 compared with 1.63 in the control group treated by the same Mohs micrographic surgeon (P < .002). CONCLUSION: This descriptive study is the first to suggest that ionizing radiation from early CRT oscilloscopes may be a factor in the development of multiple BCCs of the head and neck with increased subclinical spread.