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2.
Med Inform Internet Med ; 28(2): 73-84, 2003 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14692585

ABSTRACT

There is an increasing interest in assessing telemedicine as alternative method of delivering high quality cancer treatment to patients living in rural areas. In the Province of Trento (north-east Italy) a tele-oncology system was implemented to provide non-surgical oncological consultation to district general hospitals. The aim of this study was to explore user-satisfaction with the system after 6 months of experimentation. During the on-field validation two questionnaires with open and closed-response questions were distributed to 80 physicians and nurses 6 months apart to investigate the users' expected benefits vs. perceived ones. The two questionnaires were compared to assess how perceived benefits differed from expected ones. Significant differences were found regarding improvements in: the standardization of diagnostic-therapeutic procedures using the Electronic Patient Record (EPR)]; information sharing; data updating; consultation speed; and the possibility to diminish patients' travels through the use of teleconsultation (TC). Physicians' responses showed a significant difference regarding the EPR's effects on relationship with patient, the nurses' responses with regards to its effects on care quality. Physicians felt that both modalities of teleconsultation were useful in enhancing communication with colleagues (86% for the synchronous TC, 80% for the asynchronous TC). Responses indicated that the major difficulties encountered were in the introduction of the system into the daily routine. Despite this, user expectations for its future use in clinical field were considerably high.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Consumer Behavior/statistics & numerical data , Oncology Service, Hospital/standards , Remote Consultation/standards , Rural Health Services/standards , Health Care Surveys , Hospitals, District , Hospitals, General , Humans , Internet , Italy , Medical Records Systems, Computerized , Nurses/psychology , Oncology Service, Hospital/organization & administration , Physicians/psychology , Remote Consultation/statistics & numerical data , Rural Health Services/organization & administration , Surveys and Questionnaires , User-Computer Interface
3.
Melanoma Res ; 4(6): 391-4, 1994 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-7703719

ABSTRACT

Dermatoscopy has been reported to give valid information in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous pigmentary lesions. Using a dermatoscopy Delta 10 Heine optotechnique, we evaluated 220 pigmented lesions during a health campaign for the early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma and compared clinical and dermatoscopic diagnosis. Histologic diagnosis was carried out after removal of the lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall agreement were evaluated. In our experience clinical and dermatoscopic diagnosis gave similar results; sensitivity and specificity were slightly better for dermatoscopy than for clinical diagnosis. The agreement between clinical and dermatoscopic diagnosis was better in histologically negative lesions. Dermatoscopy is useful in the diagnosis of pigmentary lesions, but clinical diagnosis by experienced dermatological staff, is unreplaceable, especially during a health campaign for the early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma.


Subject(s)
Melanoma/diagnosis , Pigmentation Disorders/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Dermatology/methods , Diagnosis, Differential , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Humans , Luminescent Measurements , Microscopy , Predictive Value of Tests , Sensitivity and Specificity
4.
Arch Dermatol ; 129(6): 739-43, 1993 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8507076

ABSTRACT

p53 Protein immunohistochemical expression is a wide-spread feature of the malignant phenotype; most melanomas are reported as p53 positive, while nevi are reported as p53 negative. We investigate a series of 75 benign nevi and 47 melanomas (40 primary and seven metastatic) to evaluate their pattern of p53 immunoreactivity with a panel of specific antibodies (PAb1801, PAb240, DO7, and CM1) in view of a possible diagnostic role of p53 immunostaining. Our results demonstrate that 15% of nevi show p53 immunoreactive nuclei (usually in less than 1% of the cells) and that 30% of melanomas show p53 immunoreactive nuclei (one case with 20% immunoreactive cells, six cases with 1% to 5% positive cells, and four cases with less than 1% positive nuclei). p53 Positivity was seen also in basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. p53 Positivity in nevi is at variance with literature data supporting that nevi are p53 negative. p53 Positivity in nevi and in epidermis may be related to mechanisms of DNA repair, apoptosis, or to a specific phase of the cell cycle. In our series, p53 expression in melanomas is not as frequent as reported in the literature. Population-based differences or differences in case selection and sample handling may account for the above discrepancies. The demonstration of p53 positivity in benign skin lesions greatly hinders the possibility of a diagnostic use of p53 immunostaining in dermatopathology.


Subject(s)
Melanoma/metabolism , Nevus/metabolism , Skin Neoplasms/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Cell Nucleus/chemistry , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Melanoma/secondary , Middle Aged
5.
J Dermatol Surg Oncol ; 19(2): 117-20, 1993 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8429136

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To reduce the mortality rate from cutaneous melanoma in Trentino, a health campaign for early diagnosis aimed at the general public was organized. OBJECTIVE: The mortality rate from cutaneous melanoma in Trentino before and after our health campaign was analyzed and compared with the mortality rates in three neighboring regions where no campaigns were carried out. METHODS: The mortality for cutaneous melanoma was analyzed using data from the death certificates provided by ISTAT for the pre- and postcampaign periods. The two summary methods: cumulative rate and the standard mortality ratio were used. RESULTS: The cumulative mortality rates in the neighboring regions show a tendency to increase over the three periods whereas the increase in Trentino is less evident. The standard mortality ratios confirmed this result. CONCLUSION: We feel that this type of campaign is to be recommended in the reduction of mortality from cutaneous melanoma.


Subject(s)
Mass Screening , Melanoma/prevention & control , Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control , Death Certificates , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Mass Screening/statistics & numerical data , Melanoma/mortality , Program Evaluation , Sex Factors , Skin Neoplasms/mortality , Survival Rate
6.
Cancer ; 71(2): 370-4, 1993 Jan 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8422631

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The cost-effectiveness ratio of a health campaign for the early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma (CM), currently the only means to reduce mortality from this melanoma, was calculated for the Trentino region in Italy. METHODS: Health campaigns in Trentino were carried out, and comparisons were made with neighboring regions where there had been no campaigns. To do this, the trend of the mortality rates calculated according to sex and age using the direct standardized method and data provided by ISTAT (the Central Italian Institute of Statistics) was considered. RESULTS: It was determined that 22.3 lives were saved by early diagnosis during the period 1977-1985, resulting in a savings of $494,636 to the Italian National Health Service in avoided treatments. The total cost to the Health Service of the campaign was $70,800. The cost per year of lives saved was calculated to be $400. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of this campaign was a recommendation for the use of such programs in other countries and regions.


Subject(s)
Health Education/economics , Melanoma/prevention & control , Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control , Aged , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Female , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Melanoma/diagnosis , Melanoma/mortality , Middle Aged , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/mortality
7.
Am J Clin Oncol ; 13(5): 405-9, 1990 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-2220660

ABSTRACT

Based on the report of some activity of combination therapy with dacarbazine (DTIC) and interferon alpha-2a (rIFN alpha-2a) in disseminated melanoma, we conducted a phase II study to determine the feasibility and efficacy in a large series of patients. DTIC was administered in 79 patients at the dose of 800 mg/m2 every 3 weeks and rIFN alpha-2a was given daily at the dose of 9 X 10(6) IU for the first 10 weeks and three times a week thereafter. Among the 75 evaluable patients, 25% achieved an objective response, with 8% complete and 17% partial remissions. The regression occurred within a mean time of 1.9 +/- 1.03 months from starting therapy and the mean duration of response was 8.2 +/- 4.2 months. The major side effects were vomiting, anorexia, fever, fatigue, and myalgia. There was one death related to sepsis after myelosuppression. In the other patients bone marrow and liver toxicities were not remarkable. Our data reveal that a combination regimen of rIFN alpha-2a with a cytotoxic agent has some therapeutic activity in the management of advanced malignant melanoma.


Subject(s)
Dacarbazine/therapeutic use , Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use , Melanoma/therapy , Skin Neoplasms/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Combined Modality Therapy , Dacarbazine/administration & dosage , Dacarbazine/adverse effects , Drug Evaluation , Female , Humans , Interferon alpha-2 , Interferon-alpha/administration & dosage , Interferon-alpha/adverse effects , Italy , Male , Melanoma/drug therapy , Melanoma/mortality , Middle Aged , Recombinant Proteins , Remission Induction , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Skin Neoplasms/mortality , Survival Rate
8.
Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh) ; 146: 122-3; discussion 124, 1989.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-2609852

ABSTRACT

Association between baths with the thermal water of Comano Springs and selective photo-therapy UVB (bath-photo-therapy) has proved to be effective in 94% of psoriatic patients with non-extensive disease. Therefore bath-photo therapy represents a valid alternative to traditional topical treatments and can be used as a adjuvant in the interval periods of the aggressive modern therapy.


Subject(s)
Balneology/methods , Psoriasis/therapy , Ultraviolet Therapy/methods , Adult , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Psoriasis/radiotherapy
9.
Int J Cancer ; 39(2): 150-4, 1987 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-3804489

ABSTRACT

The relationship between cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and the colour of skin, hair and eyes, the extent of sun exposure and reaction to it, education, and the occurrence of skin neoplasms in patients and their families was evaluated in a case-control study of 103 cases of CMM and 205 control subjects hospitalized for acute conditions other than malignant or hormonal disease. A significantly higher risk was associated with fair skin as compared to dark/medium skin (RR = 4.0; 95% CI: 1.5-10.5) and positive family history for CMM (RR = 8.1; 95% CI: 1.0-200.9). CMM seemed to occur more frequently, but not significantly so, in individuals with brown or blond hair, higher education and clinically diagnosed dysplastic naevi. Outdoor occupation and heavy sun exposure in the last 20 years seemed to increase the risk of CMM in sun-exposed sites but to be negatively associated with CMM in normally unexposed sites.


Subject(s)
Melanoma/etiology , Skin Neoplasms/etiology , Adult , Aged , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , Occupations , Pigmentation , Regression Analysis , Risk , Sunlight/adverse effects
10.
Am J Dermatopathol ; 8(6): 472-7, 1986 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-3812921

ABSTRACT

Aspiration biopsy cytology is an accurate, safe, innocuous alternative to excisional biopsy in diagnosing the nature of concomitant superficial nodules or lymphadenopathy in patients with known cutaneous malignancy. In patients with penile cancer, aspiration biopsy cytology may avoid the morbidity (30-50%) and mortality (3%) of groin dissection staging. A positive aspirate is conclusive of Stage III tumor and, in patients with occult nodal metastases, may lead to early curative lymphadenectomy. In the present study of 28 patients with known cutaneous malignant melanoma, the aspiration biopsy cytology of 31 superficial nodules resulted in a cytologic diagnosis of metastasis in 29 nodules from 26 patients. In the management of patients with known melanoma, the positive cytology of superficial nodules is conclusive of metastatic disease and requires an accurate radiologic study to establish or exclude disseminated disease. Surgical removal of a metastatic superficial nodule is indicated when the lesion is considered localized disease and the patient, having been accurately examined, is determined to be apparently free of disease in other sites and organs. When systemic diffuse melanoma is found, the excision of metastatic superficial nodules is unnecessary. Positive aspiration cytology may avoid risk from ill-judged surgical procedures and indicate appropriate palliative treatment of the disease.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Melanoma/secondary , Penile Neoplasms/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Biopsy, Needle , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Neoplasm Staging , Skin Neoplasms/secondary
11.
Minerva Med ; 77(37): 1673-8, 1986 Sep 29.
Article in Italian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-3763038

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis and removal of precursor and early lesions is the only method to improve the prognosis and survival rate in malignant melanomas of the skin since the aetiology of the disease is unknown and treatment ineffective when the neoplasm is diagnosed at an advanced stage. A campaign for the prevention and early diagnosis of melanoma is based on the health education of the entire population with the distribution of illustrative material that by teaching people to examine their skin will show up suspicious pigmentary lesions that can be examined and removed by the dermatologist. Thin melanoma is always curable when removed and constitutes the basic tumour to be described to the public as it is easily identified and has constant, typical features. Among the precursors the most interesting lesions is the sporadic or familial dysplastic nevus despite the controversy over its pathogenic significance and morphological aspect. The other pigmentary neoplasias (congenital and acquired nevus) only must to be removed when they present changes resembling thin melanoma.


Subject(s)
Melanoma/pathology , Precancerous Conditions/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome/pathology , Humans
12.
Minerva Med ; 77(16): 627-34, 1986 Apr 14.
Article in Italian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-3517705

ABSTRACT

The authors report the results obtained treating 39 subjects affected from psoriasis with hydropinic therapy and thermal balneo-therapy, using the thermal water of Comano. At the end of the treatment the results were rather bad with an inclusive reduction of 8.5% of the lesions as regards the initial data, but after 3-6 months an average per cent reduction of the lesions about 50% and in some cases quite a total regression of the psoriasis has been noted. No kind of collateral effects has been noted.


Subject(s)
Balneology , Baths , Mineral Waters , Psoriasis/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Climate , Clinical Trials as Topic , Female , Health Resorts , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle Aged
14.
Lancet ; 1(8473): 156, 1986 Jan 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-2867373
15.
J Am Acad Dermatol ; 12(4): 633-8, 1985 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-3989024

ABSTRACT

Four patients with keratoacanthomas 2 to 3 cm in size were treated with etretinate. All the patients demonstrated early response and complete regression of the lesions. Follow-up (of 24 months in one case) did not reveal any recurrence.


Subject(s)
Etretinate/therapeutic use , Facial Dermatoses/drug therapy , Keratoacanthoma/drug therapy , Aged , Biopsy , Facial Dermatoses/pathology , Humans , Keratoacanthoma/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Skin/pathology
16.
J Dermatol Surg Oncol ; 10(10): 778-81, 1984 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-6491017

ABSTRACT

The management of nevoid basal-cell carcinomas in this syndrome is sometimes very difficult, because of the high number of tumors and of their particular localizations. The authors reviewed the literature and here report their experience in the treatment of nevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome with aromatic retinoid etretinate (RO 10-9359; Tigason).


Subject(s)
Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Basal Cell/drug therapy , Facial Neoplasms/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/prevention & control
18.
Am J Dermatopathol ; 6(2): 123-9, 1984 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-6731726

ABSTRACT

A case of a gigantic metastasizing keratoacanthoma in a woman who had impaired cellular immunity and autoimmune hemolytic anemia is described. The case suggests that disorders of humoral and cellular immunity may be responsible for development of recurrent and metastasizing keratoacanthomas.


Subject(s)
Keratoacanthoma/pathology , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Skin Diseases/pathology , Aged , Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune/complications , Axilla , Female , Humans , Keratoacanthoma/classification , Keratoacanthoma/immunology , Skin Diseases/immunology
19.
Eur J Gynaecol Oncol ; 5(2): 150-3, 1984.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-6723707

ABSTRACT

The Authors report an exceedingly unusual case of bilateral ovarian metastasis from regressed melanoma (spontaneous regression of skin malignant melanoma) in a patient who had undergone removal of a pigmented nevus from left forearm. The diagnosis was established histologically following on the bilateral adnexectomy with total hysterectomy the patient underwent for suspect ovarian tumour. Given the rareness of the clinical from and the diagnostic problems involved the Authors examine the literature dealing with this subject and look for the most adequate diagnostic means.


Subject(s)
Melanoma/pathology , Ovarian Neoplasms/secondary , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Adult , Female , Humans , Melanoma/secondary , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Remission, Spontaneous
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