[Effective and safe pharmacotherapy of acne vulgaris and treatment of sun-damaged skin]. / Ucinná a bezpecná farmakoterapie acne vulgaris a lécba solárního poskození kuze.

An inevitable condition for the pharmacist is a basic knowledge of dermatological changes which are prominent in acne and solar impairment of the skin to be able to recommend in a qualified manner an effective and safe treatment to the patient. However, sufferers of the more serious forms of acne should always be referred to their general practitioner, or preferentially a dermatologist. Acne vulgaris is an androgen-induced disorder, but three major mechanisms for the development of the disease have been identified: hypertrophy of the sebaceous gland, hyperkatosis of the follicular epithelium, and proliferation of microbial flora, particularly Propionibacterium acnes. The basis of all lesions is the microcomedone which is developed into the ripe comedone. Inflammatory lesions are thought to be due to proliferation of P. acnes. In the selfmedication of common acne, benzoyl peroxide, which in a 5-10% lotion exerts antimicrobial and keratolytic properties, proved to be useful. Patients appreciate a lot its instant effect which is visible after just one day of treatment. Salicylic acid is another effective drug, which, when used on the long-term basis, has comedolytic properties; it reduces the number of microcomedones and counteracts plugging of the follicles. In addition, in healthy young women who take oral contraception, a triphasic combined oral preparations of contraceptives with newer progestins, notably with norgestimmate, which is practically free of androgenic effects, are recommended with advantage for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris without any adverse effects. Solar impairment of the skin, the so-called solar ageing, is clinically indistinguishable from biological ageing. Changes connected with solar impairment appear mostly in the dermis, where solar elastosis develops, the skin gets drier and wrinkle formation appears. For the treatment, hydroxy acids are recommended, namely salicylic acid, which is very effective, because in combination with a suitable vehicle it produces desquamation or exfoliation. Desquamation is beneficial as it gives a youthful appearance to the skin.

[Malignant melanoma of the head and neck]. / Maligní melanom hlavy a krku.

The authors evaluate the group of 25 patients suffering from malignant melanoma in head and neck region. Patients were treated on ENT clinic in Hradec Králové during 1961-1991. The authors describe the localization of malignant melanoma, the process of therapy and the surviving of patients. The contemporary opinions are discussed for possibilities of therapy.

[Laboratory findings in patients with melanoma]. / Nekteré laboratorní nálezy u nemocných s melanomem.

Authors studied serum and urine zinc levels in a total of 64 malignant melanomas. From them, in 27 patients the melanogenuria has simultaneously been observed, and the cystinuria in 35, respectively. Mentioned examinations were performed during both the recovery and relapsing periods of tumor manifestations. From the values obtained in both serum and urine, no agreement has been issued with the authors believing that the decrease in serum zinc levels and their increase in urine may be prognostically unfavorable. Similar controverting results were obtained in monitoring melanogenuria as well. In contrast, higher pathological cystinuric values resulted in 50% of tumor relapses. The authors preclude this will be the direction for further observation on by far larger group of patients.