Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common human cancer, and is currently considered a global epidemic. Recently, there has been a growing interest in immunomodulators, or upregulators of the immune response.

Patients often ask whether they are likely to have skin cancer if their mother or father had this problem. Being a genetic combination of your parents, what you do inherent is the same skin types.

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.

An overview and update of diagnostics and devices introduced in 2011: HPV RNA detection kit APTIMA® HPV Assay, HPV DNA detection kit cobas® HPV Test cobas® 4800 System, Microwave-based device (miraDry®) for hyperhydrosis and many more drugs and devices are covered.

Sirolimus, also known as rapamycin (SRL, Rapamune®), was approved in 1999 by the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent graft rejection in renal transplantation. This articles reviews Sirolimus, its pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, and indication.

Mohs surgery is an advanced technique for removing skin cancers that combines histological analysis under a microscope at real-time with surgical excision.

The Pigmented Lesion Assay (PLA) is a gene expression test that helps rule out melanoma and has the potential to reduce the need for surgical biopsies of atypical pigmented skin lesions.

An overview and update of skin treatments introduced in 2015: Quick overview of drug name, indications and regulatory status. Deoxycholic acid injection, 5-fluorouracil 0.5% + salicylic acid 10% solution, Adapalene 0.3% + benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel, and more are covered.

Patients need to take some important steps prior to surgery to maximize the outcome of their procedure. The first step for a patient is to ensure that their surgeon is a qualified Mohs surgeon...

Imiquimod is an immune response modifier. Studies have shown that it has potent immunomodulatory effects and stimulates human peripheral mononuclear cells to release interferon alpha, sub-types α1,α2, α5, α6, and α8.

A very common question from patients concerning Mohs Surgery is “Will I need reconstruction surgery?” Dr. Bryce Cowan explains why reconstruction surgery is necessary to optimize the final outcome, and outlines the process and importance of this with some examples.

Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with a generally poor prognosis at Stage III-IV disease. Discussion centres around clinical trial data from phase I-III studies of Nivolumab (Opdivo®), a human monoclonal antibody which prevents immune inhibition by interacting with PD-1 on tumor cells.

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.

The Canadian Skin Management in Oncology Group (CaSMO) developed an algorithm for the reduction of severity and management of acute RD, which follows previous publications from this group that addressed general oncology-treatment related cutaneous adverse events [AEs], prevention, and skin management.

Oral nicotinamide is an affordable over-the-counter supplement with demonstrated benefit in the treatment of a range of skin conditions, most notably AK and NMSC.

A variety of novel therapeutic modalities have recently become available for patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). Here, we offer a brief overview of these agents and discuss their place in the spectrum of current therapies for CTCL.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. This article focuses on the various available treatments for SCC.

Patients often wonder why Mohs is not the standard treatment for invasive melanoma, the most dangerous of skin cancers. Dr. Cowan explains why the use of Mohs surgery is considered controversial for treating invasive melanomas.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. This article focuses on the treatment options available, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Why is Mohs Surgery considered the world's gold standard treatment for BCC and SCCs? Dr. Bryce Cowan explains the types of cancers that are typically treated with Mohs surgery, and why the procedure has such as high cure rate.

A summary of the most comprehensive and up to date guideline for treating non-melanoma skin cancer in Canada. Background, primary prevention, actinic keratosis, managing basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, are covered.

Treatment of metastatic melanoma using traditional chemotherapy regimens has been disappointing. However, recent work with agents that modify the host’s immune system (e.g., interleukins) have provided limited but encouraging results. Interleukins are a group of molecules involved in immune cell signaling.

Reconstruction surgery is required after any Mohs Surgery procedure. Typically the wounds will take over a year to completely heal after the surgery. 10% per month is a typical rate of healing, with the peak at around 2 months.

Genetic predisposition to melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer extends far beyond the Fitzpatrick phenotype classification scheme. Testing aimed at improving prognostication may serve to limit the influence of certain risk factors.

Actinic keratosis is a common skin condition and one that has the potential to become skin cancer. This article focuses on the available treatments: Topical drug therapy, surgical or chemical treatments, and photodynamic therapy.

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.

The CaSMO (Canadian Skin Management in Oncology) algorithm focuses on general skincare measures to prevent or reduce the severity of cancer-treatment-related cutaneous toxicities.

Learn about cannabinoids influence on skin growth control, homeostasis, melanoma, acne, pruritus, inflammation, atopic dermatitis, and other skin conditions.

Breast and prostate cancer patients frequently use hormonal therapy to improve treatment outcomes and survival. However, these medications can be associated with numerous dermatologic adverse effects.

Cosmetic products containing ultraviolet light filtering agents are rapidly being developed and entering the marketplace. This article reviews formulary attributes, effective photoprotection, adherence, and behavior modification.

Melanoma is the rarest of the big 3 skin cancers, but it accounts for the majority of mortality. Discussion is focused on the treatment modalities for melanoma: Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Biological Therapy.

What's the difference between true risks and expectations of surgery? Dr. Cowan explains the difference.

In the third video of the Mohs Surgery series, plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains in further detail the combined process of surgical excision and real-time histological analysis of the excised tissue.

Skin cancer in organ transplant recipients is a serious problem that manifests as increased squamous cell carcinoma in long-term patients. Education, surveillance, and management of skin cancers in high risk patients are discussed in this article.

In this video Dr. Cowan explains common scenarios where a doctor might not recommend Mohs Micrographic surgery, and might opt for another treatment modality instead.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are an increasingly important treatment option for metastasized cancer in patients. We present an overview of the various cutaneous side-effects associated with EGFR inhibition and discuss their respective therapeutic options.

There are many new immunotherapeutics that have been approved or are in clinical and pre-clinical trials to expand our arsenal in the treatment of melanoma and other previously difficult to treat malignancies.

Recent studies have demonstrated the role of Vitamin B Derivative (Nicotinamide), in both topical and oral forms, as a chemopreventive agent against skin cancer.

Dr. Cowan explains when Mohs Micrographic Surgery is recommended, from a physician perspective. At the same time, he emphasizes the importance and necessity of patients doing their own research.

The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer continues to increase. This article discusses ingenol mebutate, its history, mechanism of action, and recent trial evidence for this emerging therapy are discussed.