Skin Cancer Basics
Skin cancer is a condition where malignant cells develop on the outer layers of the skin. These typically develop in areas that are commonly exposed to the sunlight, such as the face, neck, hands, and the arms. Some people consider skin cancer to be a relatively minor health concern, and this is, for the most part, true. Most skin cancers are preventable, and easily cured when detected at an early stage, before it spreads to other organs inside the body.

Are You at Risk of Melanoma?
Summer is generally a time of increased physical activity, and most of us look forward to gardening, hiking, swimming, or simply sun tanning. Unfortunately, we are now aware that too much of a good thing can be harmful, especially when the subject is about sun exposure. Excessive sun exposure can not only burn the skin and speed up the aging of our skin, but become the cause of more serious problems such as melanoma.

Skin Cancer Self-Examination
Freckles, moles, and birthmarks are common, and almost all people have some of these features in varying degrees. Changes in the shape, color, size, or the outer edges can be warning signs of skin cancer.

Recent Updates on Evaluation and Treatment of Skin Cancer
Two major updates have made recent news in the medical community concerning skin cancer. The first is an update on the well known ABCD guide for identifying and diagnosing melanoma. The second is the approval of Imiquimod (Aldara™, by 3M) cream, used to treat superficial basal cell cancer.

The Tanning Bed Controversy
Tanning beds have been a source of controversy for some time, and there has been a lot of misinformation surrounding its benefits and risks. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently made a recommendation that sun beds should be banned for people who are 18 and under, as younger people are at an increased risk of skin cancer by early exposure to ultraviolet light.

Check for basal cell carcinomas
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, and it is most prevalent on the head or neck in people 40 years of age or older. Skin type and sun exposure levels are some of the primary contributing factors.

Early skin cancer detection
It is estimated that 1 in 5 individuals will develop skin cancer in their life. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, as well as being the most prevalent form of cancer. BCCs first begin in the lower layer of the epidermis (in the basal cells).

Reduce skin cancer risk
Skin cancer usually develops in the outermost layer of skin (epidermis), consequently most tumors are easily detectable, even at the early stages.

The deadly risk associated with indoor tanning
A new study published in the December 1, 2008 issue of CANCER (a journal of the American Cancer Society) cites that more than 1.3 million skin cancer diagnoses occurs each year in the U.S.

AKs: What to look for
An actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly or crusty bump that forms on the surface of the skin. They are also called solar keratosis, sun spots, or precancerous spots. Dermatologists frequently refer to them as "AK's".

What are the differences between freckles and moles?
Freckles and moles are areas of increased pigment (melanin) in the skin, but they're not the same thing. Melanin is a natural substance that gives colour to hair, skin, and the iris of the eye, and it serves to protect the skin against UV radiation.

Regular skin checks can save lives!
According to Health Canada, skin cancer has been increasing in this country at a fairly constant rate over the past 30 years. In 2005, there were roughly 78,000 new cases of basal and squamous cell carcinomas reported, and about 4,400 new cases of malignant melanomas.

Take a closer look for AKs
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are skin lesions that are caused by the sun; they occur mainly on body areas that have been frequently exposed to sunlight. These growths are most commonly found on the face, hands, forearms and V of the neck, and are more prevalent among pale-skinned, fair-haired, light-eyed individuals. Actinic keratoses are considered to be pre-cancerous lesions, which mean they may become skin cancers. Any raised, reddish, rough-textured growth should be examined by a dermatologist. Remember that sun protection at any age is essential for preventing premature aging and reducing the risk of skin cancer. Even during the winter months, the daily application of an SPF15+ sunscreen, or a moisturizer containing sun protection, is highly recommended.

Skin cancer risk factors ...
You are at higher risk for developing skin cancer if you live in a sunny environment year-round, have experienced many bad sunburns, are fair-skinned, have an abundance of moles or freckles, or if you have a family history of skin cancer.

Did you know that most skin cancers are curable?
When detected early, most skin cancers are curable. In fact, non-melanoma skin cancers (like basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas) can be successfully treated in over 99% of cases if they are promptly diagnosed. Both natural (sun exposure) and artificial (sunbeds) sources of UV radiation can cause skin cancer.

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New Evidence for the Treatment and Management of Actinic Keratosis
Cutaneous concerns continue to be a significant part of family and specialty practices, as increasingly, patients are seeking medical consultation for the management of photodamage, actinic keratoses, and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), which is now a global epidemic.

New Evidence for the Treatment and Management of Actinic Keratoses
Increasingly, patients are seeking medical consultation for the management of photodamage, actinic keratoses (AKs), and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), which is now a global epidemic.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Organ Transplant Recipients: Approach to Management
Skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and even mortality in organ transplant recipients (OTRs). As the number of organ transplant patients continues to increase, dermatologists will be faced with the challenge of diagnosing and managing their skin cancers.

Predictive Testing of the Melanocortin 1 Receptor for Skin Cancer and Photoaging
Genetic predisposition to melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer extends far beyond the Fitzpatrick phenotype classification scheme. Specific alleles of the gene that codes for the malnocortin 1 receptor are predictive of skin cancer risk independent of skin type and hair color.

Methyl Aminolevulinate-PDT for Actinic Keratoses and Superficial Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers
Methyl aminolevulinate-hydrochloride cream (Metvix® [in Canada] and Metvixia® [in the US], Galderma) in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) provides an effective treatment option for actinic keratoses (AKs), superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC), and Bowen’ss disease (BD).

An Algorithm for the Reconstruction of Complex Facial Defects
Dermatologic surgeons are often faced with the repair of complex facial defects following Mohs micrographic surgery. While the size or absence of critical tissue layers may be daunting, the reconstruction of these complex defects follow similar principles to those for the closure of smaller, simpler defects.

ECP versus PUVA for the Treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) and psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy (PUVA) are widely accepted types of photochemotherapy used for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). PUVA and ECP utilize a photosensitizing agent, that can be taken orally (PUVA) or added to the concentrated sample of white blood cells extracorporeally (ECP) prior to UVA exposure.

Cutaneous Reactions to Anticancer Agents Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor: A Dermatology-Oncology Perspective
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is often overexpressed or dysregulated in solid tumors. Targeting the EGFR-mediated signaling pathway has become routine practice in the treatment of lung, pancreatic, head and neck, and colon carcinomas.

Rituximab: A B-Cell Depletion Therapy for Dermatologic Disease
Rituximab (Rituxan®, Genentech/ Biogen Idec) is a genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal antibody directed against CD20, a B lymphocyte-specific antigen. Initially approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory low-grade or follicular non-Hodgkin’ss lymphoma (NHL), rituximab has been increasingly used to treat a variety of immune-mediated and autoimmune diseases.

Vaccines for the Prevention of Human Papillomavirus Infections
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the known cause of almost all cases of cervical cancer. An understanding of the HPV genome has allowed the development of two prophylactic vaccines capable of protecting against both persistent HPV infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with 100% efficacy in fully vaccinated women.

Imiquimod 5% Cream for the Treatment of Actinic Keratoses
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are premalignant inflammatory skin lesions with the potential to transform into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There are several treatment options available for patients presenting with multiple AKs. Imiquimod is believed to stimulate and enhance host immune responses locally against skin tumors and viral infections. Five clinical studies to date have demonstrated its safety and efficacy in the treatment of actinic keratoses. Long-term follow-up studies examining recurrence rates are limited.

Imiquimod 5% Cream (Aldara®) in the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Skin cancer, the most common human cancer, is now a global epidemic. The most prevalent form of nonmelanoma skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the incidence of which continues to increase prompting development of new treatment modalities designed to add or complement current therapies.