[Investigation of malignant melanoma in an "open house" setting]. / Undersøgelse for malignt melanom ved et "åbent hus"-arrangement.

Individuals with a self-evaluated risk of malignant melanoma were invited to an "open house" where trained dermatologists examined suspected lesions. The attendants filled in a short questionnaire relating to skin cancer risk factors. Persons with skin changes suspected for malignancy were referred for excision in the dermatological department. The clinical evaluation included dermatoscopy. Nine hundred and eleven individuals attended. Among 16 individuals referred for excision one malignant melanoma, one lentigo maligna melanoma and two in situ melanomas were histologically verified. Furthermore, 21 basal cell carcinomas were identified clinically. The most frequent clinical diagnoses were melanocytic naevi and seborrhoic keratoses.

[Dermatoscopy. An investigative method for the diagnosis of pigmented skin tumors]. / Dermatoskopi. En undersøgelsesmetode til diagnosticering af pigmenterede hudtumorer.

Dermatoscopy is a non-invasive investigative technique which makes it possible to evaluate the pigmented structures of the epidermis, the dermo-epidermal junction and the papillary dermal layer. The melanin pigmentation of the epidermal basal cell layers, the so-called pigment network is the primary target of dermatoscopy. A number of diagnostic criteria and variables for the dermatoscopy of pigmented skin lesions have been developed. Cutaneous malignant melanoma is still increasing in incidence and mortality. An early diagnosis is decisive for the prognosis. Therefore, it is urgent to develop practical investigative methods which can increase the diagnostic sensitivity. Dermatoscopy is such a method, but it demands training and experience. Lack of suspicious findings by dermatoscopy does not exclude malignancy. A safe diagnosis can only be obtained by a histological examination.

[Asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections among HIV-tested persons]. / Asymptomatiske seksuelt overførte infektioner hos HIV-testede.

We have prospectively determined the frequency of asymptomatic sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among patients seeking an HIV-test. In 246 patients, we observed 32 cases (13%) of asymptomatic STD, predominantly infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or human Papillomavirus. STD screening is of significance among patients seeking an HIV-test.

[Malignant lentigo]. / Lentigo maligna.

Lentigo maligna (LM) is a premalignant skin alteration, which may progress to lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). LM usually appears as a small dark brown spot in the head and neck region. Over some years it may gradually enlarge to palm size and the colour become more motley. Histologically many atypical melanocytes are seen in the basal layer of the epidermis and along the adnexal structures, as well as there being dermal elastosis and a lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrate in the superficial dermis. Excision should be performed as soon as the diagnosis is made to avoid more extensive excision, transplantation and development into LMM later on. If transformation of LM into LMM occurs, often after many years, fast growth, increased pigmentation and sometimes a nodular formation are observed. Histologically, the atypical melanocytes have invaded the dermis.

[Non-melanoma skin cancer as a cause of death in Denmark]. / Non-melanom hudcancer som dødsårsag i Danmark.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) differs from other forms of cancer by a high incidence combined with a very low lethality. In Denmark there is a well-established registration system of both the cause of death and the incidence of cancer. In 1984, 2,984 cases of NMSC were notified to the Cancer Register while, according to the Register of Causes of Death, 40 persons were registered as having died from NMSC. These 40 cases were investigated further by means of information from the case records and the general practitioners. In only 18 out of the 40 cases death was caused by NMSC, basal cell carcinoma with invasion into vital organs in three cases and metastasing spinocellular carcinoma in 15 cases. Over half of the fatal cases of spinocellular carcinoma were localized around the outer openings on the face, primarily (n = 4) around the external auditory meatus. In this review, the estimated lethality for basal cell carcinoma was 0.12% and for spinocellular carcinoma 4.3% the latter being high compared with other studies. Comparable population based studies are not available due to less effective registration systems.