Prognostic factors for a subsequent basal cell carcinoma: implications for follow-up

Tanning beds: A call to action for further educational and legislative efforts

BACKGORUND AND OBJECTIVES

Melanoma is steadily increasing over the past decade. Recent studies confirmed a link between tanning bed use and melanoma. We sought to determine the prevalence and frequency of tanning bed among young patients with melanoma.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed tanning bed use among young melanoma patients compared to controls selected from the hospital medical records. A telephone survey investigated family history of melanoma or skin cancer, hair color, eye color, skin type, tanning bed use, and patient awareness of dangers of tanning bed use.

RESULTS

A total of 601 melanoma cases were identified; 265 (44%) completed the telephone survey as did 195 (31%) controls. Of these 460 subjects, 260 were female. Females were 3.0 times more likely to have used a tanning bed. Melanoma patients had natural light color hair, blue-green eyes, and 2.0 times more likely to use a tanning bed than controls. Among the tanning bed users, 90% were aware of danger of tanning bed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found that tanning beds were more likely to be used by young women, the majority of whom are aware of the associated risks. Eliminating the use of tanning beds should be considered to decrease the incidence of melanoma.

SOX9 expression is a general marker of basal cell carcinoma and adnexal-related neoplasms

BACKGROUND

SOX9 is a transcription factor that fulfills multiple functions during development. In the hair follicle SOX9 is expressed in the outer layer of the epithelial sheath, and the hair stem cell compartment. Recent data suggest that Sox9 acts as a downstream target of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway. Activation of the Shh pathway is a major cause of cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Here we test whether activation of SOX9 is a general feature of BCC, or whether it could be used as a biomarker to better define subtypes of these skin tumors. In addition we investigated SOX9 expression in other skin epidermal tumors.

METHODS

Tumors sections were stained with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E). SOX9 activation was determined by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

SOX9 activation was observed in all subtypes of BCC tested. Staining was heterogeneous and could be detected among the basaloid cells of the palisading cell layer as well as in the tumour nest. SOX9 expression was detected in all adnexal tumors analyzed and absent in Bowen's disease and Merkel tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

SOX9 expression is a general feature of BCC and adnexal skin neoplasms, suggesting a contribution of SOX9 to the pathogenesis of these tumors.

Updates from the British Association of Dermatologists 86th Annual Meeting, 4?7 July 2006, Manchester, U.K

Here we provide a synopsis of the main clinical and research advances in clinical, epidemiological and biological dermatology that were presented at the meeting of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) held during 4-7 July 2006, in Manchester, U.K. Only the more important advances or summaries of findings are mentioned. The meeting was held at the Manchester International Conference Centre (Fig. 1). The annual dinner was held at Manchester Town Hall, in the Great Hall decorated with magnificent murals by Ford Madox Brown, with Dr Susan Burge as host.