Telomerase activity in Kaposi's sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma.

Patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) often develop Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), an unusual skin tumor. The malignant nature of KS has long been disputed. Telomerase activity that maintains telomere length and ensures chromosomal stability, a frequently appearing marker in human malignancies, has been proposed to play a critical role in supporting continued cell growth, hence formation of tumors. We examined telomerase activity in tissue extracts from 22 KS, 10 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 22 basal cell carcinoma (BCC) using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP). All of the tumor tissues were previously cryopreserved at -80 degrees C. In this study, all tumor samples tested were positive for telomerase activity. Consistent with the presence of the enzyme activity, the skin tumors had relatively long telomeres. Inhibitors in the tissue extracts of some samples needed to be diluted or extracted by phenol before the enzyme activity was detected in the TRAP assay. All KS as well as two other skin carcinoma samples revealed positive telomerase activity. Our finding supports telomerase's role in tumor cell immortality and suggests the true neoplastic nature of KS.

Microdermabrasion: a clinical and histopathologic study.

BACKGROUND: Microdermabrasion is a widely performed skin rejuvenation procedure. Few studies have examined its efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic effects of microdermabrasion. METHODS: Fourteen patients underwent microdermabrasion treatments over 12-14 weeks. Self-rated questionnaires were given before and after the treatment series and were evaluated by a paired t-test. Three of the 14 patients were treated for moderate to severe acne scarring. Acute histologic effects were assessed ex vivo on human abdominal skin. Chronic histopathologic effects were examined in three volunteers who underwent skin biopsies before and after a treatment series on the dorsal forearms. RESULTS: By patient assessment, there was statistically significant improvement in roughness, mottled pigmentation, and overall improvement of skin appearance, but not in rhytides. Acne scarring sometimes improved, but required deeper ablation. Acutely the stratum corneum was homogenized and focally compacted. Chronically there was epidermal hyperplasia, decreased melanization, and some increase in elastin. CONCLUSION: Microdermabrasion improves some aspects of photoaging and select cases of acne scarring.

The history of dermatologic surgical reconstruction.

Over the last 40-50 years, reconstructive surgery in dermatology has undergone expansive growth and development. As dermatologists began to provide a greater array of surgical services during this period, it became apparent that new skills and techniques in the area of reconstruction would be required. Initially many of the procedures and concepts were adopted from other specialties, however, in the years since, significant contributions have been made by dermatologists which in turn have benefited other specialties as well. This review attempts to summarize some of the significant historical events and innovations that have established and supported dermatologic surgical reconstruction.

Merkel cell carcinoma: review of 22 cases with surgical, pathologic, and therapeutic considerations.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is a primary small blue cell tumor of the skin with a proclivity to metastasize. Surgery and radiation therapy have defined roles in the primary treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma. Systemic chemotherapy can produce good response rates but does not have a primary role in the management of nondisseminated Merkel cell carcinoma patients. METHODS: Twenty-two patients were identified over the last 10 years in a retrospective analysis of tumor registries from the 6 hospitals of the ScrippsHealth facilities. Hospital and clinic charts as well as pathology specimens were reviewed. RESULTS: Eight patients underwent Mohs' surgery with permanent tissue technique. None of these patients had a subsequent local recurrence. Six patients received adjuvant radiation therapy, only one of whom developed a disease recurrence within a radiation port. Systemic chemotherapy was given to seven patients. One patient did not accept further treatment after a punch biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive primary neoplasm of the skin, the histologic diagnosis of which can be difficult. Mohs' surgical technique combined with radiation therapy provides excellent local control. Systemic treatment is associated with high response rates, but to the authors' knowledge durable responses are uncommon.

Recognition and management of high-risk cutaneous tumors.

The majority of cutaneous malignancies can be treated by the military dermatologist in a clinical setting. Recognition of tumors at high risk for recurrence or metastasis is important for any dermatologist but especially list care. Providing optimal care includes knowledge about which patients should be medavacced to larger medical centers for advanced surgical and medical treatments.

New trends in skin tumor surgery.

Over 8 years, 1700 patients were referred from the Mohs' Surgery and Cutaneous Laser Unit after Mohs micrographic skin tumor excision to the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Preoperative coordination between the two divisions was emphasised in wound preparation and timing of reconstruction for maximized patient convenience and outcome. Most repairs of facial and extremity defects were carried out under local anesthesia. Techniques of repair were selected based upon algorithmic priorities emphasizing simple techniques over complex ones. Direct closure, skin grafts and flaps were used. Preference for aesthetic subunit reconstruction of the face and the use of particular flap techniques including the O-to-S, O-to-T, V-to-Y island advancement, islandized nasolabial flap for alar reconstruction and the forehead flap for nasal dorsum and tip repair are illustrated.

Mohs micrographic excision of sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelids.

BACKGROUND: Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid is a difficult tumor to manage because of diagnostic difficulties and pagetoid-type spread in the conjunctivae. OBJECTIVE: We report our experience with eight patients using the Mohs technique of excision with reconstruction. METHODS: Six cases were managed with paraffin-embedded hematoxylin and eosin sections. One case was managed by frozen histologic sections and one was managed with frozen section processing followed by paraffin-embedded section review. RESULTS: The correct pathologic diagnosis was made initially in only 50% of the cases. Eighty-eight percent of the cases revealed intraepithelial neoplasm. There has been one recurrence with metastatic disease. The average follow-up period has been 56.8 months. CONCLUSIONS: We advocate early recognition and excision with the Mohs technique with paraffin-embedded sections followed by reconstruction. The use of paraffin-embedded histologic sections helps with interpretation of intraepithelial and pagetoid tumor spread.

Treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas by intralesional interferon alfa-2b therapy.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: Intralesional recombinant interferon alfa-2b has been shown to be effective in the treatment of actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinomas. This open-label study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and cosmetic result of this therapy on actinically induced, primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. Thirty-six squamous cell carcinomas (28 invasive lesions and 8 in situ lesions) ranging in size from 0.5 to 2.0 cm in the longest dimension were treated with interferon alfa-2b 1.5 million units injected intralesionally three times per week for 3 weeks. Eighteen weeks following therapy, the treatment sites were excised and examined for histologic evidence of remaining tumor. RESULTS: Thirty-three (97.1%) of 34 evaluable lesions revealed an absence of squamous cell carcinoma histologically after therapy, although three biopsy specimens (8.8%) obtained after treatment showed actinic keratoses, for an overall complete response rate of 88.2%. The lesion not eliminated after treatment was an invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The investigators and patients independently judged 93.9% of cases to have a very good or excellent cosmetic result. Adverse reactions were limited to those influenzalike symptoms well recognized to occur with interferon therapy and these were well tolerated. Only one patient discontinued therapy due to side effects. CONCLUSIONS: This trial demonstrates that intralesional interferon is effective in the treatment of small sun-induced squamous cell carcinomas with well-tolerated side effects and a highly acceptable cosmetic result.

The effect of intralesional 5-fluorouracil therapeutic implant (MPI 5003) for treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are usually treated with ablative procedures. A nonsurgical treatment alternative would be of value in selected patients. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a new preparation for intralesional sustained-release chemotherapy with MPI 5003, 5-Fluorouracil Therapeutic Implant, for treatment of BCCs. METHODS: Two doses of intralesional MPI 5003 (0.25 and 0.5 ml) were compared in a double-blind study of 20 patients with biopsy-proven BCC. One BCC per patient was treated weekly for up to 6 weeks and followed up monthly for 3 months until excisional biopsy for histologic examination. Before excision the cosmetic appearance of the test site was graded. RESULTS: Eighty percent of 10 BCCs treated with 0.5 ml of MPI 5003 had histologically confirmed cures as compared with 60% of 10 tumors treated with the lower dose (0.25 ml). Cosmetic assessments before excision were typically good to excellent. No systemic side effects occurred. CONCLUSION: Results indicate the potential of MPI 5003 for targeted local chemotherapy for BCC.

The Carmalt straight splinter forceps: a versatile economical instrument.

The inexpensive Carmalt straight splinter forceps has many uses including removal and placement of wound closure adhesive strips, suture removal, isolating small blood vessels for electrosurgical destruction, and holding suture ends prior to cutting. It can also be used to assist in suturing.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery for skin cancer.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a technique offering superior treatment for skin cancer with cure rates of 99% for primary and 94.4% for recurrent BCC, greater than 94% for SCC. As developed by Dr Frederic Mohs, the technique originally involved application of a chemical fixative. Mohs' fresh tissue technique is now usual, with immediate horizontal frozen sectioning of the entire margins of excised tissue, mapping and microscopic identification of remaining tumour, then repeat excisions, mapping and examination until a tumour-free plane is demonstrated throughout. This provides maximal conservation of uninvolved tissue structures, and allows more confident repair of a cancer-free surgical defect. Mohs Micrographic Surgery is becoming more widely available in Australasia; concurrently, indications for the technique are widening, as are the research interests, training opportunities, and professional organization of Mohs Practitioners. Very high, and increasing, incidence and prevalence of skin cancer in Australasia, and factors tending to contribute to this, suggest that Mohs Micrographic Surgery has an expanding role to play in Australasia.

Intralesional interferon therapy for basal cell carcinoma.

In a clinical trial of 172 patients at four medical centers, interferon alfa-2b (1.5 x 10(6) IU) or a placebo was injected directly into biopsy-proved noduloulcerative or superficial basal cell carcinomas three times weekly for 3 weeks, for a cumulative dose of 13.5 million IU. Efficacy of treatment was determined at 16 to 20 weeks by examination of biopsy specimens that demonstrated cure of lesions in 86% of interferon-treated patients and in only 29% of placebo-treated patients. During the treatment course and follow-up, an initial inflammatory response was observed at the treatment sites, followed by diminished erythema, improvement in overall appearance, and a decrease in size of lesions. Side effects of treatment, mainly flu-like symptoms, were usually mild and transient and occurred more commonly in the interferon-treated group. Only three patients, all in the interferon-treated group, discontinued therapy because of side effects. One year after initiation of therapy, 81% of interferon recipients and 20% of those given the placebo remained tumor free. Noduloulcerative and superficial lesions were equally responsive to treatment with interferon. For some patients with noduloulcerative or superficial basal cell carcinomas, intralesional interferon alfa-2b may be an alternative, effective treatment.

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma with intralesional interferon.

Eight patients with basal cell carcinomas were treated with recombinant alpha-2 interferon. Each patient had a biopsy-proved basal cell carcinoma of the nodular or superficial type that was injected intralesionally three times a week for 3 weeks (9 total injections) with 1.5 X 10(6) IU (0.15 ml) of alpha-2 interferon per injection (total dose, 13.5 X 10(6) IU). Excisional biopsy 2 months after completion of therapy revealed no evidence of basal cell carcinoma in any patient. Minimal side effects were observed. In these eight patients alpha-2 interferon was therefore an effective and safe modality of treatment. The encouraging results of this pilot study suggest that additional evaluation of interferon in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma is warranted.