595nm Pulsed Dye Laser: An Alternative to Treat Basal Cell Carcinomas

INTRODUCTION: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy. Proffered treatment for these lesions is surgery. Based on patient’s age, drug allergies, and place of lesions, surgery may not be the best option, and alternative treatments should be considered. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) may be a good alternative therapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of this laser in the treatment of BCCs in Iranian patients.METHODS: Patients with definite diagnosis of BCC enrolled in the study. For each patient, one lesion proved to be superficial, or nodular BCC via histopathology was treated with PDL for four sessions and after the last session, re-biopsy was done to determine any remnant of tumor. All patients were followed for 6 to 13 months to capture any recurrence of as soon as possible.RESULTS: A total of 12 patients including eight male and four female were selected. All patients completed the study in accordance to the treatment protocol. All patients cleared clinically resulting flat hypo pigmented scar, but in pathology, two patients showed remnants of tumor and were referred for surgery. No side effects, but mild erythema and irritation were noted in all patients. No recurrences were found during the follow up period.CONCLUSION: It seems that PDL may be an effective alternative therapy for some subtypes of BCCs with acceptable safety profile. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to support this opinion

BMI1 and TWIST1 Downregulated mRNA Expression in Basal Cell Carcinoma

Background: BMI1, TWIST1 and SNAI2/SLUG have been implicated in aggressive behavior of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma and BMI1 expression could identify subtypes of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). However, BMI1, TWIST1 and SNAI2 expression levels in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) have not been elucidated. We hypothesized BCC could be a good model system to decipher mechanisms which inhibit processes that drive tumor metastasis. The aim of this study was to examine the mRNA expression level of BMI1, TWIST1, and SNAI2 in BCCs. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five fresh non-metastatic BCC tissue samples and seven fresh normal skin tissue samples were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Results: BMI1 and TWIST1 demonstrated marked down-regulation (p< 0.00l, p= 0.00l respectively), but SNAI2 showed no significant change (p=0.12). Conclusions: Previous literature has clearly demonstrated a positive association between BMI1 and TWIST1 expression and metastatic BCC, aggressive SCC and melanoma. Here, we demonstrated a negative association between BMI1 and TWIST1 mRNA expression level and BCC

COMPARISON OF RISK FACTORS OF SINGLE BASAL CELL CARCINOMA WITH MULTIPLE BASAL CELL CARCINOMAS

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant skin tumor. Although mortality attributable to BCC is not high, the disease is responsible for considerable morbidity. There is evidence that the number of patients who develop more than one BCC is increasing. Aims: The aim of this study was to elucidate possible risk factors for developing Multiple BCC. Patients and Methods: Patients with histologically proven BCC ( n = 218) were divided into two groups (single BCC and Multiple BCC) according to the number of their tumors and their profile were reviewed. Probable risk factors were compared between these two groups. Results: Among 33 evaluated risk factors, mountainous area of birth, past history of BCC, history of radiotherapy (in childhood due to tinea capitis), abnormal underlying skin at the site of tumor, and pigmented pathologic type showed significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: The high rate of additional occurrences of skin cancers among patients with previously diagnosed BCC emphasizes the need of continued follow-up of these individuals. Those with higher risk require closest screening

PHAKOMATOSIS PIGMENTOVASCULARIS: REPORT OF A CASE

The present study introduces a rare case of phakomatosispigmenJovascularis, which is charaderiud by the existence ofpigmentary naevus ond vascular naevus. Until 1985, 63 cases ofthis syndrome have been reported, mostly in Japon (56 cases). This is the first case of phakomatosis pigmentovascularis, reported in Iran

Comparison of long-pulsed alexandrite laser and topical tretinoin-ammonium lactate in axillary acanthosis nigricans: A case series of patients in a before-after trial

Background: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a brown to black, velvety hyperpigmentation of the skin that usually involves cutaneous folds. Treatment of AN is important regarding cosmetic reasons and various therapeutic modalities have been used for these purposes. The goal of this study was to compare the effectiveness of long-pulsed alexandrite laser and topical tretinoin-ammonium lactate for treatment of axillary-AN. Methods: Fifteen patients with bilateral axillary-AN were studied in Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Diagnosis was confirmed by two independent dermatologists. Each side skin lesion was randomly allocated to either topical mixed cream of tretinoin 0.05%- ammonium lactate 12% or long-pulsed alexandrite laser. Duration of treatment was 14 weeks. At endpoint, the mean percent reduction from baseline in pigmentation area was compared between the two groups. Results: The study population consisted of 15 patients, three males and 12, females. The mean age of patients was 28.5&plusmn;4.9 years. The mean percent reduction was 18.3&plusmn;10.6%, in tretinoin/ammonium lactate group and 25.7&plusmn;11.8% in laser group (P=0.004). Conclusion: These findings indicate that the application of alexandrite laser is a relative effective method for treatment of axillary-AN. However, this issue requires further studies with prolonged follow-up period