Abstract
Introduction
Compared to their civilian counterparts, military personnel can have more exposure to sunlight and, as recent studies have shown, do have an increased incidence of melanoma. ...Given the inherent challenges service members may face in getting appropriate care whether because of operational tempo, deployments, and/or austere locations, many are initially diagnosed by specialties other than dermatology. In this study, we sought to determine if patients within the military health system were receiving appropriate follow-up management after biopsies by non-dermatologists led to the diagnosis of melanoma by pathology.
Materials and Methods
Using the Co-Path system, 1,000 patients were identified who had first time biopsies positive for melanoma. Of these, 73 were originally biopsied by non-dermatologists. Retrospective medical record review was performed to determine specialties of the non-dermatologists, staging of melanoma at diagnosis, referrals to specialists and dermatologists, and adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. The study protocol was approved by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Institutional Review Board, protocol number WRNMMC-EDO-2017-0030, in compliance with all applicable federal regulations governing the protection of human subject research.
Results
Family medicine physicians made up the majority of non-dermatologists involved in performing biopsies that led to the diagnosis of melanoma in this study. Most patients were Stage I (pT1a), and the average time from initial biopsy to further wide excision biopsy was 18 days. Sixty-seven of the 73 patients biopsied by non-dermatologists received referrals to dermatologists, and 55 of the 67 patients followed through with being seen. Follow-up full body skin exams were performed on 55 of the 73 patients, with dermatologists conducting the majority of them. National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines were followed in 45 of the 73 patients, with an additional 24 patients having insufficient evidence to determine if guidelines were adhered to.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrated that a number of different specialties outside of dermatology are involved in performing biopsies on patients in which melanoma is a concern. Although the results show that the majority of patients biopsied by non-dermatologists received appropriate follow-up care, there is still room to improve to ensure that all melanoma patients receive referrals to and are seen by dermatologists after a diagnosis of melanoma.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Drug induced linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is a rare blistering disease that has been shown to be associated with the use of various medications. Although rarely seen together, some of the ...medications associated with LABD can lead to the syndrome drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which presents with fever, cutaneous eruption, and multi-organ involvement. We present a patient who developed fever and a generalized vesiculobullous eruption after recently starting amlodipine and meloxicam. Initial laboratory tests demonstrated elevated liver function tests, leukocystosis, and eosinophilia. Histopathologic examination of the punch biopsy revealed a bulla with sub-epidermal split and numerous neutrophils. Direct immunofluorescence demonstrated broad deposition of IgA along the dermal-epidermal junction. These findings were consistent with an overlap between LABD and DRESS. Drug induced LABD and DRESS are independently both rare diseases. It is even more uncommon to see the two concurrently in the same patient. In this patient, these two conditions were thought to be triggered by either amlodipine or meloxicam. Given the high mortality rate associated with DRESS, it is important to recognize the presentation and initiate the appropriate treatment plan as soon as possible.
Traumatic neuroma of the penis Hoverson, Kara R; Sasaki, Geoffrey T; Wohltmann, Wendi E
Dermatology online journal,
2014, Letnik:
20, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Traumatic neuromas are tumors produced by a reactive process to regenerate injured nerves that result in a disordered proliferation of nerve bundles. These tumors are usually related to previous ...surgery or trauma. We describe a case of traumatic neuroma on the penis of a 24-year-old man; the tumor was initially suspected to be a condyloma. A shave biopsy was both diagnostic and curative.
BACKGROUNDKeratoacanthomas (KAs) are common tumors of squamous cell origin that grow rapidly and may regress; however, differentiation from an aggressive squamous cell carcinoma is problematic.
...OBJECTIVETo report the authorsʼ experience in managing KA with intralesional methotrexate (MTX) or surgical excision.
MATERIALS AND METHODSThe authors collected data on 157 tumors (136 patients) over 6 months from a single institution.
RESULTSThere were 73 tumors (54 patients) treated with intralesional MTX. There were 9 tumors that did not resolve with intralesional MTX (88% cure). Nonresolving tumors were excised with no recurrences or complications. In all 9 cases, the nonresolving tumors were of the same size or smaller after MTX. Of the 73 tumors treated with MTX, 29 tumors (11 patients) were multiple KAs. All 29 tumors resolved (100% tumor clearance). There were no complications in any of the MTX-treated patients. Tumor clearance was defined by clinical resolution for a minimum of 6 weeks without a recurrence. There were 84 tumors (83 patients) treated with surgical excision. There were no complications and no recurrences (100% cure) with surgery.
CONCLUSIONIntralesional MTX may be considered as the initial treatment for solitary KA, multiple KA, or in poor surgical candidates.
A scaly eruption on the body Kwan, Julia; Hoverson, Kara; Arora, Navin S.
International journal of dermatology,
January 2016, Letnik:
55, Številka:
1
Journal Article