ABSTRACT
Background@#Mastectomy leaves unsightly scarring, which can be distressing to patients. Laser therapy for scar prevention has been consistently emphasized in recent studies showing that several types of lasers, including fractional ablation lasers, are effective for reducing scar formation. Nonetheless, there are few studies evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of ablative CO2 fractional lasers (ACFLs). @*Methods@#This study had a randomized, comparative, prospective, split-scar design with blinded evaluation of mastectomy scars. Fifteen patients with mastectomy scars were treated using an ACFL. Half of each scar was randomized to “A,” while the other side was allocated to group “B.” Laser treatment was conducted randomly. Scars were assessed using digital photographs of the scar and Vancouver scar scale (VSS) scores. Histological assessments were also done. @*Results@#The mean VSS scores were 2.20±1.28 for the treatment side and 2.96±1.40 for the control side. There was a significant difference in the VSS score between the treatment side and the control side (P=0.002). The mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores were 4.13±1.36 for the treatment side and 4.67±1.53 for the control side. There was a significant difference in VAS score between the treatment side and the control side (P=0.02). @*Conclusions@#This study demonstrated that early scar treatment using an ACFL significantly improved the clinical results of the treatment compared to the untreated scar, and this difference was associated with patient satisfaction.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Mastectomy leaves unsightly scarring, which can be distressing to patients. Laser therapy for scar prevention has been consistently emphasized in recent studies showing that several types of lasers, including fractional ablation lasers, are effective for reducing scar formation. Nonetheless, there are few studies evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of ablative CO2 fractional lasers (ACFLs). @*Methods@#This study had a randomized, comparative, prospective, split-scar design with blinded evaluation of mastectomy scars. Fifteen patients with mastectomy scars were treated using an ACFL. Half of each scar was randomized to “A,” while the other side was allocated to group “B.” Laser treatment was conducted randomly. Scars were assessed using digital photographs of the scar and Vancouver scar scale (VSS) scores. Histological assessments were also done. @*Results@#The mean VSS scores were 2.20±1.28 for the treatment side and 2.96±1.40 for the control side. There was a significant difference in the VSS score between the treatment side and the control side (P=0.002). The mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores were 4.13±1.36 for the treatment side and 4.67±1.53 for the control side. There was a significant difference in VAS score between the treatment side and the control side (P=0.02). @*Conclusions@#This study demonstrated that early scar treatment using an ACFL significantly improved the clinical results of the treatment compared to the untreated scar, and this difference was associated with patient satisfaction.
ABSTRACT
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common nonmelanoma skin cancer, and its incidence is increasing globally. In Korea, there were 12,516 diagnosed cases of cSCC between 1999 and 2014. Surgical treatment, for which several options are available, is the standard of care for cSCC and securing a sufficient surgical resection margin is always important. cSCC of the scalp sometimes exhibits unusually aggressive behavior. In this article, we report a case of cSCC of the scalp with invasion into the skull and dura mater.
ABSTRACT
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common nonmelanoma skin cancer, and its incidence is increasing globally. In Korea, there were 12,516 diagnosed cases of cSCC between 1999 and 2014. Surgical treatment, for which several options are available, is the standard of care for cSCC and securing a sufficient surgical resection margin is always important. cSCC of the scalp sometimes exhibits unusually aggressive behavior. In this article, we report a case of cSCC of the scalp with invasion into the skull and dura mater.
ABSTRACT
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a relatively rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy. It is characterized by high rates of recurrence and metastasis, both to regional lymph nodes and to distant locations. Its characteristic clinical manifestation is a single, painless, hard, erythematous nodule on a sun-exposed area, particularly in older men. Surgical management of both the primary site and the sentinel lymph node is the standard of care. In this article, we describe the diagnosis and treatment of a case of MCC in the left cheek.