Among childhood cancer survivors (CCSs), non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common type of second malignancy. Morbidity related to the development of NMSC in this group of patients may be sometimes unpredictable and difficult to manage. We present the case of a 49-year-old female who was a CCS and developed giant superficial basal cell carcinomas (sBCCs) over the previously irradiated field of the scalp. BCC involved the atrophic skin overlying the catheter of the peritoneal cerebral shunt that was set there for the management of hydrocephalus. Topical treatment with imiquimod 5% resulted in local skin reaction that was further complicated with catheter exposure. The patient underwent an emergency neurosurgery for reposition of the cerebral shunt. Subsequent treatment with imiquimod resulted in complete resolution of sBCC. Given the increased risk for the development of BCCs in CCSs, awareness of neurosurgeons is crucial. Avoidance of setting the catheter of the cerebral shunt within the radiotherapy field is highly recommended, in order to avoid unnecessary future surgeries and subsequent morbidity, as in our case.
Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a photosensitizer is available for the treatment of multiple actinic keratoses (AKs) in a restricted skin area or, as it is established, for the field-cancerized skin. Objectives: Our review aims to present the up-to-date literature on skin field cancerization using PDT employing different topical photosensitizers, modified light delivery protocols and combination treatments to obtain excellent efficacy and safety in everyday clinical practice. Methods: We sought PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, OVID, Embase, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Research Gate and Google Scholar for [(aminolevulinic acid OR aminolevulinate) AND photodynamic therapy] with (field-directed OR field cancerization, (actinic keratosis), and (efficacy OR effectiveness OR pain OR tolerability) for studies published until February 2023. Results: Advantages of PDT compared to the other field treatments, including imiquimod, 5-fluorouracil, ingenol mebutate gel and diclofenac, reported better cosmetic outcomes and greater patient satisfaction. On the other hand, some drawbacks of field PDT include pain and treatment duration. Alternate illumination methods have also been investigated, including daylight as a light source. Pretreating the affected area may enhance photosensitizer absorption leading to better therapeutic results, while combinational treatments have also been tested. Patients prefer daylight PDT to traditional light sources since it is more well-tolerated and equally effective. Even as a preventive treatment, field PDT yields promising outcomes, especially for high-risk individuals, including organ transplant recipients. Conclusion: This review provides a thorough display of the field of PDT on cancerized skin, which will facilitate physicians in applying PDT more efficiently and intuitively.
Abstract Pagetoid reticulosis (PR), also known as Woringer‐Kolopp disease, is a rare variant of mycosis fungoides with distinctive clinicopathologic features. It clinically manifests as a solitary, erythematous, gradually enlarging, scaly, or verrucous plaque on the lower extremities, and due to its indolent course and nonspecific clinical features, may remain undiagnosed for years. In the current study, we describe the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of a rare case of PR disease and correlate them with the corresponding histopathologic findings. Dermoscopy may prove beneficial in early diagnosis of this rare entity.
Blue color in dermoscopy can be seen in a wide range of benign and malignant lesions, melanocytic or not. Some blue-colored dermoscopic criteria have been associated with specific tumors, such as blue-white veil with melanoma and homogeneous blue with blue nevi. However, when blue color occupies a large part of the lesion's surface, the dermoscopic assessment might be particularly challenging.To identify dermoscopic predictors associated with benignity and malignancy in tumors characterized by a predominant dermoscopic presence of blue color.We retrospectively screened our institutional database for tumors exhibiting blue color in at least 50% of their surface with available histopathologic diagnosis. Lesions with blue color covering less than 50% of their extent and lesions not histopathologically assessed were excluded. The dermoscopic images were evaluated for the presence of predefined criteria, including the characteristics of the blue color, coexisting colors, and the vascular structures.Of 91 included tumors, 53 were benign (35 blue nevi, 10 angiomas, and 8 seborrheic keratoses) and 38 malignant (12 melanomas and 26 basal cell carcinomas). Our analysis revealed 3 potent dermoscopic predictors of benignity: extension of blue color in more than 75% of the surface, diffuse distribution of blue color, and absence of vessels, posing a 2.3-fold, 5.6-fold, and 6.7-fold increased probability of benignity, respectively. In contrast, asymmetric distribution of blue color, blue clods, coexistence of gray color and linear vessels were significantly predictive of malignancy, posing a 8.9-fold, 2.8-fold, 13.5-fold, and 10.4-fold increased probability, respectively.In predominantly blue tumors, the probability of malignancy is high when blue color is seen in clods or is asymmetrically distributed and when gray color or linear vessels coexist. In contrast, a diffuse distribution of blue color, its expansion in more than 75% of the surface, and the absence of vessels are highly suggestive of a benign tumor.
Auteur(s) : Zoe Apalla1, George Karakatsanis2, Thalia Koussidou2, Eleni Sotiriou1, George Chaidemenos2 1State Hospital for Dermatologic and Venereologic Diseases, 124, Delfon str., 54643, Thessaloniki, Greece 2Department of Dermatology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece The term “sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome” was first used by Brincker to describe the association of systemic sarcoidosis and malignant lymphoma [1]. Several cases of lymphomas following various [...]
however, do not have a significantly longer duration of PN in our multivariate analysis.The limitations of the study include a small sample size and the retrospective nature of the analysis. ConclusionsAll patients with extensive PN had identifiable causes in this study.A dermatological condition was the predominant etiology in both patients with monofactorial and multifactorial disease, of which endogenous eczema accounted for the majority of cases.Patients with an atopic diathesis had a significantly lower median age of PN onset compared to patients without.A significant number of patients had underlying systemic causes, highlighting the need for systemic investigations in extensive PN.
Abstract Background Nail abnormalities in childhood are generally uncommon. Recently, onychomadesis was described as a late complication of hand‐foot‐and‐mouth disease (HFMD). Onychomadesis outbreaks following HFMD have been reported in many countries worldwide. Aim To present a case series of onychomadesis in children, following HFMD outbreak in Northern Greece, and review literature data. Methods Children with evident onychomadesis attending the outpatient clinic between November 2012 and January 2013 were included in the study. A questionnaire including demographic personal and family history information of the children was completed by the parents. Patients were clinically examined, and their pediatric and dermatological records were studied to confirm precedent HFMD. Direct microscopic examination and cultures for fungi were performed. Exposure of participants to coxsackievirus, based on serology testing during infection, was also recorded. Results Sixty‐eight children with onychomadesis were included. The mean number of affected nails was 8.82. Fingernails were more often involved. Previous clinical diagnosis of HFMD was confirmed in 67/68 cases. The mean time from HFMD diagnosis to onychomadesis development was 39.6 days (range: 28–56 days, STD: 7.33). Direct microscopic examination, as well as cultures for fungal species, was negative for the whole sample size. All the nail changes were transient with spontaneous regrowth after 1–4 months. Conclusion Our data indicate that onychomadesis outbreak in the region of Thessaloniki during fall–winter 2012–13 was highly related to the outbreak of HFMD. Our study reinforces existing evidence for the association between onychomadesis and HFMD.
We present an 82-year-old female patient with a 2-year history of an infiltrative squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on her right cheek. The patient was treated with one intralesional photodynamic therapy (PDT) session using 10% 5-aminolevulinic acid solution. We used red light by a non-coherent light source at a light dose of 100 J/cm2 and a fluency rate of 100 mW/cm2. Complete clinical and histological response was achieved 3 months after the treatment procedure. Cosmetic outcome was evaluated as fair. The patient remains disease free with the absence of any clinical sign of recurrence 16 months after PDT. Long-term follow-up is needed for assessment of recurrences. Optimization of the therapeutic protocol, as well as justification of our results in larger studies are needed in order to elicit safe conclusions.
