Calcium Electroporation for Keloids: A First-in-Man Phase I Study.

BACKGROUND: Keloid scarring is a pathologic proliferation of scar tissue that often causes pruritus, pain, and disfigurement. Keloids can be difficult to treat and have a high risk of recurrence. Recent studies have shown promising results in the treatment of cutaneous metastases with intralesional calcium combined with electroporation (calcium electroporation). As calcium electroporation has shown limited side effects it has advantages when treating benign keloid lesions, and on this indication we performed a phase I study. METHODS: Patients with keloids were treated with at least 1 session of calcium electroporation and followed up for 2 years. Calcium was administered intralesionally (220 mM) followed by the application of eight 100-µs pulses (400 V) using linear-array electrodes and Cliniporator (IGEA, Italy). Treatment efficacy was evaluated clinically (size, shape, erythema), by patient self-assessment (pruritus, pain, other) and assessed histologically. RESULTS: Six patients were included in this small proof of concept study. Treatment was well tolerated, with all patients requesting further treatment. Two out of 6 patients experienced a decrease in keloid thickness over 30%. A mean reduction of 11% was observed in volume size, and a mean flattening of 22% was observed (not statistically significant). Five out of 6 patients reported decreased pain and pruritus. No serious adverse effects or recurrences were observed over a mean follow-up period of 338 days. CONCLUSION: In this first phase I clinical study on calcium electroporation for keloids, treatment was found to be safe with minor side effects. Overall, patients experienced symptom relief, and in some patients keloid thickness was reduced.

TP53 Gene Status Affects Survival in Advanced Mycosis Fungoides.

TP53 is frequently mutated in different types of neoplasms including leukemia and lymphomas. Mutations of TP53 have also been reported in mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of cutaneous lymphoma. However, little is known about the frequency, spectrum of mutations, and their prognostic significance in MF. In this study, we have optimized the protocol for Sanger sequencing of TP53 using DNA extracted from archival paraffin-embedded biopsies. Of 19 samples from patients with stage IIB MF or higher, 31% harbored mutations in TP53. Overall survival of the patients with mutated TP53 was significantly shorter than median survival in the age- and stage-matched patients treated in our Institution. Distribution of mutations was heterogenous in TP53 exons; however, C > T transitions were common suggesting the causal role of ultraviolet radiation. We propose that TP53 mutation status would be useful for risk stratification of patients with advanced MF.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: clinical series, national Danish incidence data and suggested guidelines.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous sarcoma that frequently recurs locally, but rarely metastasizes. The purpose of this work is to present a clinical series of DFSP patients and national Danish incidence data in the period 2000-2012. Furthermore, the aim is to present guidelines on the management based on a review of the literature. Medical records of 26 consecutively treated patients at the Department of Plastic Surgery in Health Care Region Zealand were reviewed and histological specimens were reassessed. To investigate national Danish incidence in the period 2000-2012, data were extracted from the national pathology registry. Finally, a literature search was performed in Pubmed and Cochrane, and 23 major publications were reviewed. Studies on Mohs Micrographic surgery were excluded. All patients were treated with wide local excision (WLE) with a median margin of 2.8 cem and a median follow-up time of 36 months. We found a local recurrence rate of 4%. Our national incidence data were based on 374 patients. The overall incidence was 0.53 per 100,000 persons. The prevalence of DFSP in the age group 20-50 years was significantly higher than the group below 20 years (p < 0.0001). Surgery is the treatment of choice for primary DFSP, local recurrences, and metastases. If clear margins cannot be obtained by WLE or surgery is not an option because of unacceptable functional or cosmetic outcome, adjuvant radiotherapy or imatinib can be considered. Chemotherapy can be a final option if other treatments fail.

[A primary adenomucinous carcinoma on the upper eyelid]. / Primært adenomukøst karcinom på øjenlåget.

In this case we present a 70-year-old male with a primary adenomucinous carcinoma (PKMK) on the upper eyelid. Radical surgery or radiotherapy could not be implemented, due to aggressive behaviour caused by dementia. PKMK is a rare tumour with 228 described cases. Clinically the tumour can be misdiagnosed as benign, but has the potential to lymph node-, regional- and remote metastasis. Histologically it may be difficult to distinguish from adenocarcinomas (breast-, colorectal-, ovarian-, prostate- and lung cancer). The treatment is surgical with radical excision by Mohs' procedure (abroad) or guided by intraoperative biopsies (Denmark).