Epidemiology of Melanoma in the South of Brazil: study of a city in the Vale do Itajaí from 1999 to 2013

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous melanoma is a highly aggressive malignancy with increasing incidence worldwide. The southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina has one of the highest incidence rates of melanoma in the country.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the epidemiological profile of melanoma patients in a southern city of Brazil.

METHODS

a cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted, aiming to detect the clinical and histopathological characteristics of cutaneous melanoma diagnosed in the city of Brusque - SC, between 1999 and 2013.

RESULTS

A total of 213 cases in 212 individuals were studied. More than 50% of the patients were females (p< 0.05). The trunk was the most commonly affected site (p< 0.05), followed by the upper limbs. Nodular and superficial spreading melanomas were the most commonly detected in histological analyses. They did not differ statistically in frequency, but were more prevalent than other histopathological subtypes (p< 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between invasive and noninvasive melanomas (p= 0.2441). Among the invasive melanomas, those with Breslow thicknesses < 1 mm and between 1-2mm were more prevalent (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study we found a higher frequency of melanomas in female patients and patients aged over 51. The trunk was the most commonly affected site. Nodular and superficial spreading melanomas prevailed. Among invasive melanomas, those with Breslow thicknesses < 2 mm were the most frequent. This paper highlights the epidemiological profile of melanoma patients in the city and may help to identify and aid in the follow-up of those who are most likely to present the disease.     

Melanoma of the scalp: an underdiagnosed malignancy?

We report a case of scalp melanoma that was found incidentally after the patient complained of pruritic lesions on his scalp. The melanoma was 13 mm in diameter and had a Breslow thickness of 0.25 mm. The incidence of melanoma has been on the rise, with a high incidence occurring in men on the head, neck, and trunk. This case stresses the need to thoroughly examine the entire scalp when performing total body screening examinations for skin cancer.     

Bullous Melanoma: should the thickness of the bullous lesion be included in Breslow depth measurement?

Bullous melanoma represents a rare variant of melanoma, especially in patients without underlying bullous cutaneous disease. Few cases have been described in the literature, including cases of melanoma in patients with bullous epidermolysis or Hailey-Hailey disease. The histopathological diagnosis of bullous melanoma does not show any difficulties, except for the measurement of the Breslow index. The rarity of this case, the dilemma of how to measure the Breslow index and the importance of an early diagnosis motivated this report.     

[Translated article] Incidence of Melanoma in the Basque Province of Álava,Spain, From 2015 to 2018: A Descriptive Study

IntroductionThe incidence of cutaneous melanoma is rising fast, and its prevalence has doubled in the past 3 decades. Detailed local epidemiological information is essential for informing community-based prevention strategies and optimizing hospital resources.Material and methodsWe included all patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma at Hospital Universitario Araba in the Basque province of Álava, Spain, between January 2015 and December 2018. We described clinical and pathologic characteristics and calculated annual incidence rates adjusted to the European standard population.ResultsA total of 242 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed between 2015 and 2018. The age-standardized annual incidence rose from 12.92 cases per 100 000 population in 2015 to 18.30 cases per 100 000 population in 2018.ConclusionsThe incidence of melanoma in our area is higher than that reported for Spanish series in 2017 and 2018. Lentigo maligna accounted for a high proportion of cases and was the second largest histologic subgroup.     

Action of the “nude” gene on pigmentation of the coat in C57 black and C3H mice

Summary The authors have studied pigmentary changes of skin and hair due to the presence of the nude gene in pigmented species (C 57 Bl. 6J, C 3H). Morphological (histology, electron microscopy) and biochemical (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of tyrosinase activities) studies showed that the pigmentary alterations of the nude mice were related to the hair cycle and hair growth wave pattern. In fact, in the nude mice the hair follicles evolves cyclically similarly to mice of normal coat. In depigmented skin, the hair follicles were in the resting phase and no soluble tyrosinase could be demonstrated.     

How to manage infections in the era of biologics?

ABSTRACT:   Biologic agents are immunosuppressants that target cytokines or specific immune cell subpopulations. Many therapies interfere with the normal inflammatory cascade and with the immune system, causing an increase in the incidence of infections. In particular, treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonists in psoriasis patients is associated with an increased risk of infection caused by intracellular microorganisms. TNF-α plays an important role in host resistance against infectious and several cases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Listeria monocytogenes , and Pneumocystis carinii have been reported with anti-TNF-α agents. Furthermore, B and T cells are essential to the immune response; thus, their specific reduction or inhibition by targeting molecules in T-cell cutaneous lymphomas and psoriasis could increase the risk for viral, fungal, and bacterial infections. A prompt and appropriate management of infections with the emergence of biologics is essential in clinical practice.     

Dermatoscopy of the Borst–Jadassohn phenomenon in hidroacanthoma simplex

The Borst–Jadassohn phenomenon is a morphological finding that consists of the presence of well-defined nests of cells located in the spiny stratum of an acanthotic epidermis. One of the neoplasms where this phenomenon is found is hidroacanthoma simplex. This neoplasm is considered the intraepidermal form of the eccrine poroma. Despite its benign nature, malignant transformations are reported. The present article reports a case of hidroacanthoma simplex and discusses the dermoscopy of this phenomenon.