epidemiologic study on basal cell carcinoma and its related risk factors in patients referred to Razi hospital tumor clinic in autumn 2005-2006

Basal cell carcinoma [BCC] is the most common cutaneous malignancy UV light is an important risk factor for BCC, as well as X-ray and other ionizing radiations. The aim of this study was evaluation and risk factor assessment of BCC cases referred to Razi hospital tumor clinic. Patients referred from general clinics with skin biopsies consistent with Basal Cell Carcinoma were enrolled. A questionnaire including epidemiologic data, risk factor exposure and specification of skin lesions was completed for each patient. From October 2005 to October 2006, a total of 476 patients with cutaneous malignancy referred to Tumor clinic of Razi hospital. Of them, 367 patients had BCC. 215 were male [58%] and 152 were female [42%]. Mean age of patients was 62 [ +/- 12.7] and 62 [ +/- 13.4] years for men and women, respectively. The most common risk factors for BCC were radiotherapy and chronic sun exposure. The most common tumor sites were scalp, nose and ears. Of different clinico-pathologic types, nodulo-ulcerative type was the most common. It seems that radiotherapy is an important risk factor in Iranian BCC patients and it is useful to have a screening program for case finding and treating patients in early stages

[Ichthyosiform parapsoriasis: report of a case]

Acquired ichthyosis is a known paraneoplastic sign of lymphoproliferative malignancies with nonspecific histopathologic findings revealing no implication of the underlying neoplasm. However, ichthyosiform eruption is considered as a specific manifestation of mycosis fungoides [MF], i.e., ichthyosiform MF. There are a few reports of ichthyotic manifestation of MF, but only one report of this presentation in parapsoriasis. We present a case of ichthyosiform parapsoriasis in a 22-year-old woman with hyperpigmented ichthyosiform scaly patches on her trunk and extremities. The histopathologic findings were hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis and acanthosis with scattered lymphocytic infiltration, also could be seen in parapsoriasis. The patient responded well to oral photochemotherapy

frequency of skin allergens in patients with contact dermatitis

Eczema is one of the most widely spread inflammatory skin disorders. Contact dermatitis is an eczematous dermatitis that is produced as a result of contact with a substance in the environment. The substance can act as an irritant or allergen. Every country has allergens particular to itself. Determining the frequency of skin allergens in patients with contact dermatitis in Tehran. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, all the data about the patients with chronic contact dermatitis who were visited in a dermatology clinic in Tehran from the year 1993 to 2003 and patch tested with 23 allergens of European Standard Series [ESS] were analyzed. In this study 222 patients were surveryed. The mean age of the patients was 33.5 Years [SD=13.8]. 66.5% of the patients were females. The most common site of involvement [49%] was their hands. The mean duration of the disease was 54 months [SD=62]. Clinical diagnosis included: 59% allergic contact dermatitis, 24% irritant dermatitis, 10% atopic dermatitis, and 7% other types of dermatitis. One-hundred and forty five [65.3%] of them had at least one positive reaction. The most common allergens were: nickle sulfate 22.6%, cobalt chloride 14.5%, and fragrance mix 13.6%. Nickel was the most common contact allergen among the patients surveyed