ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: DecisionDx-Melanoma * is a 31-gene expression profile test that predicts the risk of metastasis in patients with primary cutaneous melanoma (CM). This study was designed to ascertain clinical management changes determined by the test outcome, which classifies CM patients being at low (Class 1) or high (Class 2) risk for recurrence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Medical charts were reviewed from 156 CM patients from six institutions (three dermatology and three surgical oncology practices) who were consecutively tested between May 2013 and December 2015. Clinical management data that were compiled and compared before and after receipt of the 31-gene expression test result included frequency of physical exams, frequency and modality of imaging, and referrals to surgical and medical oncologists. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of patients were Stage I, 47% were Stage II and 8% were Stage III. Overall, 95 patients (61%) were Class 1 and 61 (39%) were Class 2. Documented changes in management were observed in 82 (53%) patients, with the majority of Class 2 patients (77%) undergoing management changes compared to 37% of Class 1 patients (p < 0.0001 by Fisher's exact test). The majority (77/82, 94%) of these changes were concordant with the risk indicated by the test result (p < 0.0001 by Fisher's exact test), with increased management intensity for Class 2 patients and reduced management intensity for Class 1 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular risk classification by gene expression profiling has clinical impact and influences physicians to direct clinical management of CM patients. The vast majority of the changes implemented after the receipt of test results were reflective of the low or high recurrence risk associated with the patient's molecular classification. Because follow-up data was not collected for this patient cohort, the study is limited for the assessment of the impact of gene expression profile based management changes on healthcare resource utilization and patient outcome.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Profiling/methods , Melanoma , Molecular Diagnostic Techniques/methods , Skin Neoplasms , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Melanoma/epidemiology , Melanoma/genetics , Melanoma/metabolism , Melanoma/pathology , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Risk , Skin Neoplasms/epidemiology , Skin Neoplasms/genetics , Skin Neoplasms/metabolism , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Melanoma, Cutaneous MalignantABSTRACT
Seckel syndrome is a very rare form of primordial dwarfism characterized by antenatal and postnatal growth delay, proportionate extreme short stature, a prominent beak-like nose, hypoplasia of the malar area, small chin, microcephaly, deformed ears lacking lobules, skeletal malformations, mental retardation, and developmental delay. This syndrome has been described with associated disorders of orthopedic, neurologic, hematologic, cardiac, and ocular systems; however, only a few reports mention dermatologic involvement. We describe a 5-year-old girl with classic Seckel syndrome who presented with moderately severe atopic dermatitis and diffuse hypopigmented macules and papules.
Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple , Dermatitis, Atopic/complications , Dwarfism/complications , Pigmentation Disorders/complications , Child, Preschool , Craniofacial Abnormalities , Female , Humans , SyndromeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The "unsuture" technique originally reported with the use of fast-absorbing gut for the placement of full-thickness skin grafts has provided years of successful full-thickness graft placement without the need for suture removal. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to explore another option for successful graft placement and survival using irradiated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl Rapide, Ethicon Inc, Somerville, NJ, USA), with its longer tensile strength of 7 to 10 days. METHODS: Irradiated polyglactin 910 was used to suture the edges and place basting sutures in full-thickness skin grafts. RESULTS: In our experience, we have found that the use of irradiated polyglactin 910 for the placement of full-thickness skin grafts provides an alternative to the "unsuture" technique with fast-absorbing gut. It provides excellent graft survival, easy workability, low inflammation, and good long-term cosmesis, without the need for suture removal. CONCLUSION: Irradiated polyglactin 910 provides another option for the placement of full-thickness skin grafts without the need for suture removal.
