By Allison Sit
A judge from the Guinness World Records recently commended an OHSU dermatologist and colleagues for catching the “Smallest Detected Skin Cancer.” The lesion, which was 0.65 millimeters, was almost invisible to the naked eye, yet it was confirmed to be melanoma. Dermatologist Alexander Witkowski, MD, PhD, used a combination of dermoscopy and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy to make the diagnosis, which was confirmed through additional staining and molecular testing. The case is featured in the journal Dermatology Practical & Conceptual.
Sancy Leachman, MD, PhD, director of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute’s Melanoma Program and chair of the Department of Dermatology in the OHSU School of Medicine said this case “truly demonstrates the power of new technology to identify potentially dangerous spots early.”
“This was a team effort — we used skin imaging and technology to improve the early diagnosis of melanoma,” Dr. Leachman said. “It took everyone on the team — dermatologists, dermatopathologists, and dermatologic surgeons. It’s an incredible thing when you have an entire team able to work together to help patients.”
A simple, low-cost treatment can prevent severe cases of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD), according to researchers at Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center. Beth N. McClellan, MD, director of supportive oncodermatology at Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, and chief of the division of dermatology at Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, was senior author of two studies on the topic that were published in JAMA Oncology. Dr. McClellan reasoned that Staphylococcus aureus (SA) bacteria may play a role in ARD as SA is already implicated in common skin disorders that lead to a breakdown in the skin.
In the first study, following radiation treatment, 48% of those patients who developed severe ARD tested positive for the presence of SA, compared with 17% of patients who developed the condition’s mildest form. Since many patients with SA on the skin also tested positive for SA in the nose, researchers theorized that SA from the nose might be infecting the skin.
The second study looked at the effectiveness of a topical antibacterial drug combination –chlorhexidine as a body cleanser along with mupirocin 2% nasal ointment twice a day for five days, every other week, throughout radiation treatment. No patients on the intervention developed moist desquamation—the most severe type of ARD-–while severe ARD affected 23% of participants receiving the standard of care, which was normal hygiene and moisturizing treatment.
“Our regimen is simple, inexpensive, and easy so we believe it should be used for everyone undergoing radiation therapy, with no need to first test individuals for SA,” said Dr. McLellan. “I expect this will completely change protocols for people undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer.”
An American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) survey found Generation Z adults are unfamiliar with the risks of sunburn and tanning. The survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults found 71% of Gen Z adults, ages 18-25, are unaware of sunburn risks. Forty percent were unaware of tanning risks and nearly 59% believed tanning myths, such as tanning is healthy, and a base tan will prevent sunburn.
“I’m very surprised to see that so many people are not concerned about developing skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in the United States,” said board-certified dermatologist Terrence A. Cronin Jr., MD, FAAD, president of the AAD.
In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the AAD encourages people to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays and reduce their risks of developing skin cancer.
