News

Genetic profiling is valuable in both diagnosis and prognosis of skin cancer. Hedgehog inhibitors and (superficial radiation therapy) SRT are strong contenders for treating nonmelanoma skin cancer. Advances in targeted therapies and biologics are part of the new wave of melanoma treatments.

Patient education can be a powerful tool that complements your expertise and boosts patient engagement.

Limited provider networks are cutting more than costs; these narrow networks are cutting dermatologists. One expert shares insight on what derms need to know.

Consolidation is occurring throughout healthcare. An expert talks about what it means to practicing dermatologists.

Hormonal therapies are an effective strategy to improve acne in women but some of these treatments, including birth control pills, are not commonly prescribed.

Norman Levine, M.D., notes that being a physician is not easy. A large part of the difficulty centers on the patient-doctor relationship and how one maximizes the benefits that the patient accrues by the care he receives.

As part of its updated guidelines for the treatment of acne published early last year, the American Academy of Dermatology included new recommendations for the use of oral isotretinoin.

Expert dermatologist describes how to create the virtual multispecialty clinic to address the complex needs of hidradenitis suppurativa.

Nonablative lasers, which are essentially modified hair removal lasers, offer treatment benefits for HS patients with stage 1 or stage 2 disease, according to dermatologist.

Instructional handouts help caregivers stick to complicated treatment plans for pediatric AD patients. Historically effective AD treatments are being augmented with new phosphodiesterase inhibitors and biologics. Gentler approaches such as massage, light therapy, and melatonin may also be of value for children with AD.

Drugs to treat atopic dermatitis are at the top of the FDA’s dermatology list. Biologics and PDE4 inhibitors show promise in the treatment of AD. Approval is still needed for the use of biologics to treat AD in pediatric patients.

With a long history in dermatology and rheumatology, TNF inhibitors can not only improve psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, but they also may reduce comorbid cardiovascular risks and work better combined with methotrexate. Low doses of cyclosporine may be effective at treating the psoriasis reaction when topicals have proven ineffective. Aggressively managing TNF-induced reactions can help patients stay on drugs that are working for other challenging diseases.

Dermatologists should be versed and informed about the specific attitudes and lifestyle habits that could be fueling rising skin cancer risk in the Hispanic population, according to dermatologist Maritza I. Perez, M.D.

Cyclosporine and PUVA clearly increase the risk of squamous cell carcinomas, and there is evidence that TNF blockers and methotrexate may do so to a lesser degree. UVB phototherapy has not been shown to cause skin cancer. Acitretin offers protection against the development of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

Patients who carry a high-penetrance melanoma predisposition gene can often benefit from screening for other cancers. Patients who receive a positive genetic test result are more likely to embrace prevention and detection measures. A new “Rules of Three” proposes a point-based guideline to help determine who should be referred for genetic counseling and testing.

Today’s SRT technology embodies very small, stable machines. Radiation leaks are not longer a concern. The SRT-100 System serves both an important medical and cosmetic role.

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th Edition Melanoma Staging System includes important changes pertaining to T1 melanomas. The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) continues to evolve, particularly for thin melanomas. A contemporary international dataset is being applied to develop sophisticated and accurate personalized prognostic tools.

Squamous cell carcinoma often associated with HPV. Surgical excision for four types of tumors is largely successful. Imaging of glomus tumors recommended prior to intervention.

The April Table of the Month discusses diagnostic and therapeutic tips for AD patients.

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th Edition Melanoma Staging System includes important changes .

About one third of the more than 118,000 people who received free skin cancer screenings from the AAD’s SPOTme program in 2009 and 2010 indicated they had recently seen a change in the size, shape or color of a mole.

If cleared, dermatologists might find the technology useful when excising lesions in patients on blood thinners and more.

Dermatologists should turn to oral antibiotics for treating acne when topical medications have failed or are too irritating.

When it comes to choosing topical agents for treating acne, separating fact from fiction can be challenging for dermatologists.

Studies suggest that a more aggressive approach to neck tightening procedures yields better results. Patients can experience significant pain and edema from these procedures that may require prescription medications to treat. The procedures cost thousands of dollars, raising questions about whether they're worth the cost for patients.

Many different types of peels are available to successfully treat a wide variety of skin conditions. Instances of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) that develop after healing of peel or laser treatments may require additional management. Attendance at workshops and use of prepackaged kits can help derms gain confidence in providing peel treatments to patients.

Emerging treatments are expected to help fill the need for safer and more effective therapies for atopic dermatitis (AD). Both systemic and topical treatments are needed to provide full and complete treatment for patients with AD. Targeting the specific axis or axes that control AD may contribute to developing personalized approaches to treatment

TNF inhibitors adalimumab and infliximab have evidence-based efficacy for the treatment of hidradentitis suppurativa (HS). Anti-interleukin inhibitors ustekinumab and anakinra also being evaluated in small studies for treatment of HS. Antibiotics, hormones, retinoids, steroids and laser therapies directly targeting the lesions round out an effective treatment plan for HS patients.

Biosimilars have the potential to lower the high costs of biologic treatments for patients suffering from chronic skin diseases. Although biosimilars have received FDA approval derms still have many questions about what they are and when they may be used appropriately. Patent wars and a lack of rules and regulations at the state level add to the confusion about using biosimilars.

Laser and light source treatments target many of the most common skin conditions that dermatologists encounter. The recent expansion in laser dermatology is both promising and exciting as the treatments available to derms and their patients continue to grow. New technologies are taking laser and light source treatments in new directions of skin structure imaging, epidermal harvesting, tissue rejuvenation, and new types of photodynamic therapies.