Melasma in the people of Sub-Himalayan region of Eastern India

To determine the spectrum of the factors influencing melasma in the people of Sub-Himalayan region of Eastern India especially Mongoloid in origin [Nepalese]. Hundred [94 females and 6 males] new cases of melasma, of Eastern part of sub-Himalayan region, were subjected to detail history taking regarding family, occupation, and daily activities. A thorough clinical evaluation followed by investigation was done. Fifty cases were in the age group of 21-30 years, whereas according to the onset of disease 54 cases were in that age group. Sixteen cases had the age of onset 11-20 years, of these 75% had positive family history. Overall family history was observed in 40% of cases. By occupation 70 cases were housewives and the duration of sun exposure was more than 2 hours in 80% of cases. Twenty two patients were oral contraceptive pill users and 6 cases were pregnant women. The people suffering from melasma of Eastern sub-Himalayan region, have genetic predisposition especially in early onset disease. Quantum of UV exposure not only depends on the duration but also reflected sun light from snow covered hills. Sunscreen is used as preventive measure

Adult-onset Gunther's disease [congenital erythropoietic porphyria] in a 37-year-old man: a case report

A 37-year-old man presented with multiple blisters and ulcerations over the sun exposed skin of 2 years duration. His clinical, radiological, hematological features, fluorescent microscopy of urine and histopathology of subepidermal blister with PAS-positive material deposited in the upper dermis in a perivascular and periadnexal distribution were suggestive of congenital erythropoietic porphyria, was treated with beta carotene and advised to avoid sun exposure by using sun protective clothing. We repot this case because of its rarity

Metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary origin

Cancer of unknown primary [CUP] origin is the diagnosis when metastatic cancer is found but the primary site cannot be determined. The peculiarity of our case is eleven months after the occurrence of two lesions of florid cutaneous metastases, the primary tumor or metastasis to a second organ could still not be identified despite thorough investigation