Solar Keratoses (solar + keratose)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Primary cutaneous osteosarcoma of the scalp: a case report and review of the literature

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Daniela Massi
The patient had been previously submitted to electrodessications of the scalp due to multiple solar keratoses. Histopathologically, the lesion showed features of a high-grade conventional osteoblastic osteosarcoma involving the dermis. Computed tomography showed no involvement of the underlying bone tissues. Clinical examination and extensive total body radiologic workup revealed absence of bone lesions in any body site, thus suggesting a final diagnosis of primary cutaneous extraskeletal osteosarcoma. The clinico-pathological features of the case are discussed in light of the rare cases previously described in the literature. [source]


Photodynamic therapy with violet light and topical ,-aminolaevulinic acid in the treatment of actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease and basal cell carcinoma

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
AT Dijkstra
Abstract Background Most clinical studies using photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical application of ,-aminolaevulinic acid (,-ALA) use red light because it allows greater depth of penetration. However, given the porphyrin-like spectrum of ,-ALA-induced photosensitivity, violet light provides a maximal overlap with the excitation spectrum of protoporphyrin IX, meaning that PDT with violet light uses less light energy to induce the phototoxic reaction. Aim To study the efficacy of violet light in combination with topical ,-ALA PDT in the treatment of premalignant and malignant skin lesions. Methods Eight hours after 20%,-ALA was applied topically, photoirradiation was performed with an incoherent light source (Philips HPM-10, 400 W) emitting predominantly violet light (400,450 nm). Lesions received 10,20 J/cm2 during an exposure time of 30 min. The 38 subjects treated included three with basal cell naevus syndrome with multiple (> 30) superficial and nodular basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), one subject had multiple lesions of Bowen's disease, involving 50% of the scalp, and the remaining 34 subjects presented a total of 35 superficial BCCs, 10 nodular BCCs, four large solar keratoses and five solitary lesions of Bowen's disease. Results Complete remission both clinically and histologically was seen after a single treatment in 82% of the superficial BCCs (100% after a second treatment), 50% of the nodular BCCs, one of the four solar keratosis lesions (partial remission in the other three) and 90,100% of the solitary lesions of Bowen's disease. Conclusions ,-ALA PDT using violet light appears to be a well tolerated and effective alternative treatment for premalignant and malignant skin lesions, especially when there are multiple lesions or large patches comprising a large area of skin. [source]


Is there just one lesion?

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 10 2009
The need for whole body skin examination in patients presenting with non-melanocytic skin cancer
Abstract Background:, In patients presenting with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) the frequency of concurrently presenting tumours is poorly documented. Whole body skin examination is recommended but in a recent survey of Australian General Practitioners and skin cancer clinics doctors it was infrequently performed. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of concurrent skin cancer at initial presentation and therefore to examine the need for whole body skin examination for NMSC presentations. Method:, One hundred consecutive patients with a referral diagnosis indicative of NMSC were examined. Data was analysed as to the referring doctor's diagnosis, whole body skin examination findings and histology of excised lesions. Epidemiological data was obtained by patient questionnaire. Results:, One hundred patients, 41 males and 59 females, with a mean age of 70 years (range 39,91 years) underwent whole body skin examination. Sixty-seven per cent of patients were found to have additional lesions requiring treatment, 46% skin cancers (30 patients basal cell carcinomas, five squamous cell carcinomas, seven basal and squamous cell carcinomas, two lentigo maligna, two adenexal tumours) and 21% solar keratoses. Thirty-four of the additional lesions detected were in areas covered by clothing. Sixty-eight patients had a past history of skin cancer excision. Conclusions:, In the Australian patient population, the need for whole body skin examination is essential to avoid missing concurrent lesions. Ongoing surveillance is also essential as these patients have a high risk of developing future NMSC. [source]


Grover's disease: 34 years on

AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
Christopher J Quirk
SUMMARY Grover's disease is an entity reported worldwide and recognized as a common disease since Grover first described it in 1970. Its cause remains obscure, but hospitalized, febrile and sun-damaged patients are particularly prone. It is frequently associated with some other skin diseases, including eczemas, psoriasis and solar keratoses. Acantholysis is the universal histological finding in all the varying clinical presentations. Treatment in the past has been ad hoc, but topical therapy, acitretin and phototherapy can suppress symptoms. [source]


Sunscreen abuse for intentional sun exposure

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2009
P. Autier
Summary Skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) and the sun is the main source of this radiation. Sunscreens were initially formulated to prevent sunburns; laboratory studies later revealed that in rodents they could reduce UV-induced skin cancer which resembles human squamous cell carcinoma. Three randomized trials in older adults showed the ability of sunscreens to moderately reduce the occurrence of solar keratoses and of squamous cell carcinoma. However, no effect was observed for basal cell carcinoma. There is no animal model for human melanoma and observational studies often found sunscreen use associated with a higher risk of nevus, melanoma and basal cell carcinoma. These higher risks were found when sun exposure appeared to be intentional, that is, with the desire to acquire a tan, a healthy look or simply to spend as long as possible in the sun with as much skin exposed as possible. Three randomized trials showed that sunscreen use by sun sensitive subjects engaging in intentional sun exposure could increase the duration of exposure without decreasing sunburn occurrence. This increased duration could be the reason why melanoma risk is increased when sunscreen is used. Hence, sunscreen abuse may extend sun exposure duration thus allowing sun exposure behaviours that would not be possible otherwise. Advertising for sunscreens and labeling of sunscreen bottles should inform consumers of the carcinogenic hazards associated with sunscreen abuse. It would be good to use a personal UV dosimeter which would give an alert when one's individual sunburn threshold in the absence of sunscreen use is nearing. The combination of sunscreen and a UV dosimeter may be an option for reducing the melanoma risk among sun worshippers. [source]