Basal cell carcinoma with compromised margins: retrospective study of management, evolution, and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of malignancy in the Western world, and surgical excision is the preferred approach. The approach adopted in the face of incomplete excisions of basal cell carcinoma is still controversial. OBJECTIVES: To compare the number of tumor recurrences after treatment for incompletely excised basal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Selection and statistical analysis of medical records of patients who had compromised margins after excision of basal cell carcinoma in a tertiary hospital from 2008 to 2013. RESULTS: A total of 120 medical records were analyzed; the mean age was 69.6 years, and 50% of the patients were female. The most prevalent histological type was nodular; the mean size was 1.1 cm, and the tumor location with the highest incidence was the nose. The lateral margin was the most frequently positive. Clinical follow-up was more widely adopted; only 40 patients underwent a second surgery. The total number of patients who had tumor recurrence was 34 (28.3%). Only the malar location significantly influenced the incidence of recurrence (p = 0.02). The mean follow-up time was 29.54 months, with no significant difference between the follow-ups, although 32.9% of the patients followed-up clinically showed recurrence, against only 20% of those who underwent a second surgery. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Mean follow-up time of less than five years and sample size. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of compromised margins does not necessarily imply recurrence. Location, tumor size, histological subtype, previous epithelial tumors, and clinical conditions of the patient must be considered when choosing the best treatment option.

Correção cirúrgica de rinofima grave / Surgical repair of severe rhinophyma

A rosácea pode manifestar-se com a formação de fima, que se caracteriza por hipertrofia de glândulas sebáceas e proliferação de tecido conectivo e vasos sanguíneos. Considerada complicação grave, a fima é mais comum em homens, e mais frequente no nariz, quando é denominada rinofima. Rosácea e rinofima podem trazer prejuízos funcionais e estéticos com piora da qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Nos estádios iniciais realizam-se terapêuticas farmacológicas, às quais, porém, a forma fimatosa responde pobremente. Relatamos um caso de correção cirúrgica de rinofima gigante pela técnica de shaving e eletrocoagulação, com excelente resultado cosmético e funcional.

Rosacea can develop into phyma, which is characterized by hypertrophy of sebaceous glands and proliferation of connective tissue and blood vessels. Regarded as a serious complication, phymas are more common in men, being more frequent in the nose ­ when it is called rhinophyma. Rosacea and rhinophyma can cause functional and aesthetic impairment, leading to a worsening in the patients' quality of life. Pharmacological and physical therapies are performed in initial stages, however phymatous variants of the condition respond poorly to the first. The authors of the present article report a case of surgical correction of a giant rhinophyma using the shaving and electrocoagulation techniques, with excellent aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Assessment of clinical effects and safety of an oral supplement based on marine protein, vitamin C, grape seed extract, zinc, and tomato extract in the improvement of visible signs of skin aging in men.

BACKGROUND: Skin aging is a natural process that may be aggravated by environmental factors. Topical products are the conventional means to combat aging; however, the use of oral supplements is on the rise to assist in the management of aged skin. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects and safety of an oral supplement containing (per tablet) marine protein (105 mg), vitamin C (27 mg), grape seed extract (13.75 mg), zinc (2 mg), and tomato extract (14.38 mg) in the improvement of skin aging in men. METHODS: This single-center, open-label, quasi-experimental clinical study enrolled 47 male subjects, aged 30-45 years, with phototypes I-IV on the Fitzpatrick scale. Subjects received two tablets of the oral supplement for 180 consecutive days. Each subject served as their own control. Clinical assessments were made by medical personnel and by the subjects, respectively. Objective assessments were carried out through pH measurements, sebumetry, corneometry, ultrasound scanning, skin biopsies, and photographic images. RESULTS: Forty-one subjects (87%) completed the study. Clinical improvements on both investigator- and subject-rated outcomes were found for the following parameters: erythema, hydration, radiance, and overall appearance (P<0.05). The objective measurements in the facial skin showed significant improvements from baseline in skin hydration (P<0.05), dermal ultrasound density (P<0.001), and reduction of skin pH (P<0.05). No statistical improvement in relation to sebum was found. The photographic assessment showed an improvement in the overall appearance. The results of the objective measurements were found to be correlated with the subjects' satisfaction by an increase of collagen and elastic fibers. CONCLUSION: The use of an oral supplement based on a unique biomarine complex, vitamin C, grape seed extract, zinc, and tomato extract produced improvements in the signs of skin aging in men.

Evaluation of the Quantitative and Qualitative Alterations in the Fatty Acid Contents of the Sebum of Patients with Inflammatory Acne during Treatment with Systemic Lymecycline and/or Oral Fatty Acid Supplementation.

Background. Acne is a dermatosis that involves an altered sebum pattern. Objectives. (1) To evaluate if a treatment based on antibiotics (lymecycline) can alter fatty acids contents of the sebum of patients with acne; (2) to evaluate if oral supplementation of fatty acids can interfere with fatty acids contents of the sebum of patients with acne; (3) to evaluate if there is any interaction in fatty acids contents of the sebum of patients with acne when they use both antibiotics and oral supplementation of fatty acids. Methods. Forty-five male volunteers with inflammatory acne vulgaris were treated with 300 mg of lymecycline per day, with 540 mg of γ-linolenic acid, 1,200 mg of linoleic acid, and 510 mg of oleic acid per day, or with both regimens for 90 days. Every 30 days, a sample of sebum from the forehead was collected for fatty acids' chromatographic analysis. Results. Twelve fatty acids studied exhibited some kind of pattern changes during the study: C12:0, C14:0, C15:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1n9c+C18:1n9t, C18:2n6t, C18:3n6, C18:3n3, C20:1, C22:0, and C24:0. Conclusions. The daily administration of lymecycline and/or specific fatty acids may slightly influence some fatty acids levels present in the sebum of patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris.

Características reológicas de preenchedores dérmicos à base de ácido hialurônico antes a após passagem através de agulhas / Rheological characteristics of hyaluronic acidbased dermal fillers before and after flowing through needles

Os preenchimentos dérmicos à base de ácido hialurônico constituem procedimentos estéticos dos mais utilizados atualmente. Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar alterações nas propriedades reológicas dos diferentes tipos de preenchedores com ácido hialurônico antes e após sua passagem pelas respectivas agulhas e, nesta última situação, adicionados ou não de hialuronidase.

Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers are currently among the most commonly used substances in cosmetic procedures. The present study aims at identifying alterations in the rheological properties of different types of fillers containing hyaluronic acid, before and after flowing through needles. The same analysis is carried out with fillers with and without hyaluronidase.

Eficácia in vitro e clínica do uso cosmético tópico de fitoestrógenos em pele fotoenvelhecida / In vitro and clinical efficacy of the use of phytoestrogens-based topical cosmetic use in photoaged skin

Introdução: O tratamento do envelhecimento cutâneo representa um desafio clínico. Objetivos: Avaliar a eficácia in vitro e in vivo, e a segurança clínica de cosmético com fitoestrógenos na abordagem do fotoenvelhecimento. Métodos: A etapa in vitro foi realizada pela análise da expressão gênica de fibronectina e pró-colágeno, avaliação da atividade imunomoduladora e análise histoquímica e por imunofluorescência da pele e da junção dermoepidérmica com o produto analisado. No estudo clínico in vivo foi 76 mulheres, foram randomizadas em dois grupos: o Grupo A usou creme contendo complexo de fitoestrógenos e FPS 20 duas vezes ao dia, enquanto o Grupo B usou este mesmo creme associado a outro com função de antienvelhecimento aplicado à noite. O estudo durou 120 dias tendo sido realizadas mensalmente avaliações médicas, da voluntária, ultrassonografia (20MHz), fotografias e biópsias pré e pós-tratamento. Resultados: No estudo in vitro houve aumento na expressão de fibronectina e procolágeno, potencial imunomodulador, representado pelo aumento de IL-1α diminuição de IL-10; melhora da integridade da JDE, aumento da viabilidade e espessura da epiderme, e da síntese de colágeno. in vivo: melhora global subjetiva da aparênciada pele da face; redução de manchas, eritema, poros e porfirina cutânea. O ultrassom e a biópsia revelaram aumento da densidade dérmica (52,7%) e de fibras dérmicas (22,25%), respectivamente. Conclusões: Fitoestrógenos tópicos melhoram a condição geral da pele, avaliada clínicamente, histológicamente e por ultrassonografia; acrescentam-se resultados in vitro de aumento da síntese de fibronectina, prócolágeno e colágeno, melhoria da integridade da junção dermoepidérmica e restauração da resposta imunológica da pele.

Introdução: Introduction: Skin aging is a challenge to treat. Objectives: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy and clinical safety of a phytoestrogens-based cosmetic in the management of photoaging. Methods: The in vitro investigation was performed using the analysis of the genic expression of fibronectin and procollagen, evaluation of the immunomodulatory activity (proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines synthesis) and histochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses of the skin and the dermoepidermal junction. The in vivo investigation ­ performed in 76 women randomized into Group A (phytoestrogens complex cream and SPF 20 twice daily) or Group B (the same product plus a commercially available anti-aging cream applied overnight). The study lasted for 120 days, with physician- and patient-led evaluations, in addition to monthly ultrasound (20 MHz) and photographic analysis. Skin biopsies of the face were performed before and after treatment. Results: The study showed In vitro: increase in the expression of fibronectin, in procollagen, immunomodulator potential, represented by an increase in IL-1α and a decrease in IL-10; improvement in the integrity of the dermoepidermal junction; increase in the viability and thickness of the epidermis; increase in collagen synthesis .In vivo: subjective global improvement of the skin's appearance; reduction in the count and intensity of spots, erythema, skin pores, and cutaneous porphyrin. The ultrasound and biopsy revealed increased dermal density (52.7%) and dermal fibers (22.3%), respectively. Conclusions: The topical use of phytoestrogens-based cosmetics improves the overall condition of the skin.

Lipodistrofia ginoide e terapêutica clínica: análise crítica das publicações científicas disponíveis / Gynoid lipodystrophy and clinical therapy: a critical analysis of scientific papers

A lipodistrofia ginoide (celulite) é dermatose inestética comum que aflige muitas mulheres ao redor do mundo. Dependendo da intensidade do quadro estabelecido, essa condição pode ser responsável por relevantes distúrbios psicossociais. Na prática clínica, muitas formas terapêuticas já foram tentadas; muitas foram colocadas no cenário das terapêuticas proscritas não só por sua ineficiência terapêutica, mas também pelo risco que impõem à saúde do paciente. Outras, ainda em voga, têm fragilidades científicas que não sustentam sua utilização; no panorama médico atual, encaramos, também, as promessas dos aparelhos médicos, sendo poucos os que realmente apresentam substrato científico de sustentação. Este artigo faz ampla revisão da literatura médica, analisando estudos presentes na literatura científica, tentando fornecer ao leitor argumentos que possam embasá-lo na indicação de uma dada terapêutica em detrimento de outra, a fim de confortá-lo no discurso clínico de resultados junto ao paciente portador de tal enfermidade.

Gynoid lipodystrophy (cellulite) is a common, unattractive dermatosis that affects many women around the world. Depending on the severity of the appearance, the condition may cause important psychosocial disorders. Many therapies have been clinically tested, and many have been proscribed, not only for their therapeutic inefficiency, but also for their risk to patients? health. Other treatments, notwithstanding their weak scientific basis, are still in vogue. Medical devices, few of which are backed by actual scientific evidence, also currently claim to help treat this condition. This paper provides an extensive scientific literature review and analysis, and aims to help dermatologists decide what specific therapies to recommend and provide assurances regarding the clinical rationale of results when treating patients with this condition.