A Systematic Review of Surgical Management of Melanoma of the External Ear

Comparative Analysis of Slow Mohs Surgery in Melanoma and Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, and it can affect people of all ages, races, and genders. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), a specialized type of skin cancer surgery, boasts the highest cure rates for various types of skin malignancies. Slow Mohs surgery (SMS) is a methodical and meticulous approach to MMS that involves careful and deliberate examination of tissue samples to ensure the complete removal of skin cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Both SMS and MMS have been indicated to be effective treatment options for skin cancer, depending on the type and stage of cancer. This case-control study analysis compares the efficacy of SMS for melanoma with that of MMS for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). We analyzed data from the past two decades to assess recurrence rates and treatment-related complications. Our findings suggest that SMS for melanoma achieves comparable outcomes to MMS in SCC and BCC. Both approaches demonstrated similar cure rates and complication profiles. However, further prospective studies are necessary to solidify these findings and refine the specific role of SMS in melanoma therapy.

The role of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like-lectin-1 (siglec-1) in immunology and infectious disease

Siglec-1, also known as Sialoadhesin (Sn) and CD169 is highly conserved among vertebrates and with 17 immunoglobulin-like domains is Siglec-1 the largest member of the Siglec family. Expression of Siglec-1 is found primarily on dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages and interferon induced monocyte. The structure of Siglec-1 is unique among siglecs and its function as a receptor is also different compared to other receptors in this class as it contains the most extracellular domains out of all the siglecs. However, the ability of Siglec-1 to internalize antigens and to pass them on to lymphocytes by allowing dendritic cells and macrophages to act as antigen presenting cells, is the main reason that has granted Siglec-1's key role in multiple human disease states including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, autoimmune diseases, cell-cell signaling, immunology, and more importantly bacterial and viral infections. Enveloped viruses for example have been shown to manipulate Siglec-1 to increase their virulence by binding to sialic acids present on the virus glycoproteins allowing them to spread or evade immune response. Siglec-1 mediates dissemination of HIV-1 in activated tissues enhancing viral spread via infection of DC/T-cell synapses. Overall, the ability of Siglec-1 to bind a variety of target cells within the immune system such as erythrocytes, B-cells, CD8+ granulocytes and NK cells, highlights that Siglec-1 is a unique player in these essential processes.

Malignant lesions of the ear

The dermatologic lesions of the external ear are quite protean and they encompass pre-malignant, malignant and inflammatory entities. The ear is endowed with functional and cosmetic importance and it is part of the "H-zone", which is the area of the head that generally presents tumors that can be considered high risk regardless of their size. As a matter of fact, skin malignancies of the ear tend to have a less benign course compared to the ones located on other areas of the body and complete excision has proven to be challenging. This mini-review provides an overview on the malignant cutaneous lesions of the external ear with a focus on their dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy features. The most prevalent neoplasms of the auricle are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma followed by melanoma. These malignant lesions appear to be more common in men and to have a worse prognosis compared to when they arise from other body districts. There is a relative dearth of large studies centered on the clinical, dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy features of skin cancers of the ear. Hence, further research inquiring into the specific dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy characteristics of the cutaneous malignant lesions of the external ear, if any, are warranted for the future.

Auricular and periauricular melanomas have similar clinicopathologic factors and survival rates

BACKGROUND

Auricular melanomas are rare malignancies, and conflicting reports regarding their clinical behaviors have been published so far.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the clinical features of the auricular melanomas and compared them with periauricular skin melanomas.

METHODS

Data of 53 primary melanomas arising in auricular (n = 25) and periauricular regions (n = 28) were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Demographic, histopathological, and clinical characteristics were found similar between auricular and periauricular melanomas (p > 0.05). Likewise, the recurrence rates for both groups were found to be similar (30%) (p = 0.9). The 5-year relapse-free survival rate of all patients was 57.4%, and no statistical difference was observed between the two groups-63.9% for auricular melanomas and 51.7% for periauricular melanomas (p = 0.5). Moreover, the 5-year overall survival rate of all melanomas was 46.9%, and there was no statistical significance between the two groups-56.1% and 37.4% for auricular and periauricular melanomas, respectively (p = 0.4).

CONCLUSION

Auricular and periauricular melanomas share similar clinicopathologic features and outcomes.

Complete response with talimogene laherparepvec in recurrent melanoma of the ear: A case report

The current standard of care for cutaneous melanoma of the ear is surgical excision. This approach may result in unfavorable functional and cosmetic outcomes. We report here a case of recurrent melanoma of the ear that achieved complete response with talimogene laherparepvec treatment after the patient declined surgical resection.