VITAMIN D LEVEL AND BASAL CELL CARCINOMA, SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA, AND MELANOMA RISK

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Various associations between serum vitamin D levels and skin cancer have been reported. In this issue, van der Pols et al. observed that baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels above 75 nmol/L were associated with an increased incidence of basal cell carcinoma and melanoma, and a nonstatistically signiﬁcant decreased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma. Complex factors including sun exposure, skin phototype, and anticarcinogenic and procarcinogenic effects of vitamin D are potential causes of the observed associations.

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HYFRECATORS AND INTERFERENCE WITH IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEVICES

Investigation of Hyfrecators and They are In Vitro Interference with Implantable Cardiac Devices CHRISTOPHER WEYER, DO,* RONALD J. SIEGLE, MD,†‡ AND GUILLAUME GIRARD P. ENG, EMI-EMC§ BACKGROUND Guidelines exist for minimizing potential electromagnetic interference (EMI) with electrosurgical equipment in patients with cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices. These guidelines encompass all electrosurgical devices but are not speciﬁc for hyfrecators. OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential interference of CRM devices by hyfrecators. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using a collagen-based saline gel, three implantable pulse generators (pacemakers) and three implantable cardioverter deﬁbrillators were tested to measure the EMI from two commonly used hyfrecators. The six devices were tested using the hyfrecator under normal use settings and on maximum power. RESULTS Hyfrecators did not interfere with deﬁbrillators and affected pacemakers only when used in close proximity to the devi...

NEW DRUG THERAPY FOR BCC

Genentech Submits New Drug Application to FDA for Vismodegib for Rare Form of Advanced Skin Cancer Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that the company has submitted a New Drug Application for vismodegib to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of people with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) for whom surgery is considered inappropriate. Vismodegib is an investigational, oral, targeted medicine designed to selectively inhibit signaling in the Hedgehog pathway, which is implicated in more than 90 percent of BCC cases. BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, which is generally considered curable by surgery. However, when it advances, BCC can cause disfiguring and debilitating effects and can ultimately be life-threatening. “We are excited by the pivotal study results that showed vismodegib substantially reduced tumor size or healed lesions for people with this rare skin cancer, which has no approved ...

TRANSACTION AND MELANOMA SURVIVAL

The rate of melanoma transaction with various biopsy techniques and the influence of tumor transaction on patient survival Mohsin Mir, MD, C. Stanley Chan, MD, Farhan Khan, MD, MBA, Bhuvaneswari Krishnan, MD, Ida Orengo, MD, and Theodore Rosen, MD Houston, Texas Background: Depth of melanoma invasion is critical because it dictates patient treatment and prognosis. Recent reports indicate melanoma transection with initial biopsy does not impact patient survival; however, tumor transaction can lead to misdiagnosis and inaccurate staging. Objective: This study assessed the rate of melanoma transaction with various biopsy techniques and the impact of tumor transaction on patient survival. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all melanoma cases at our institution between 2000 and 2008. Of the 490 melanoma cases identified, 479 met inclusion criteria for the study. The transaction rates of biopsy techniques were determined. Cases of transected ...

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