Diagnosis & Disease Information

Multiple patients having chemotherapy in a room

Periadjuvant Pembrolizumab Improves EFS in Resectable Melanoma

By

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

March 16, 2023

Periadjuvant pembrolizumab may improve outcomes over adjuvant pembrolizumab alone in patients with resectable stage III-IV melanoma, a phase 2 study suggests.

Sometimes the distinctions between cancer treatment groups are a little blurry. Here’s a guide to their definitions and origins.

General Oncology

Novel Treatment Approach May Reduce Risk of Death From ICI-Related Myocarditis

By

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

March 16, 2023

A novel method of treating immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis may decrease the risk of death from myotoxicity.

This micrograph depicts the histopathologic changes found in a biopsied lymph node indicative of a Kaposi sarcomatous lesion from a patient with AIDS. The histopathology revealed in this slide includes characteristic erythrocyte-filled, slit-like spaces, and occasional cells containing globules.

Case Series Describes Link Between Koebner Phenomenon and Kaposi Sarcoma

By

Vicki Moore, PhD

February 27, 2023

Researchers described possible associations between Kaposi sarcoma and Koebner phenomenon in a case series of patients with lesions appearing after a prior cutaneous injury.

A dermatologist examines a patient's skin, carefully looking at a mole for signs of skin cancer.

PASS: A Novel Dermoscopic Algorithm for Diagnosing Cutaneous Melanomas

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

February 24, 2023

Investigators in Spain developed an algorithm for diagnosing melanomas that had good diagnostic accuracy and was easier to perform than other diagnostic algorithms.

Melanoma

AYA Patients With Melanoma Fare Worse at All Stages Than Older Adults

By

Jessica Nye, PhD

February 8, 2023

Researchers compared all-cause and melanoma-specific mortality in patients aged 15 to 39 years and 40 to 64 years with advanced melanoma.

Risk for Subsequent Facial Keratinocyte Carcinoma Lower With Laser Treatment

February 1, 2023

Nonablative fractional laser-treated patients had lower rate of subsequent facial keratinocyte carcinoma development.

Melanoma

Patient Activated Education Effective as Surveillance for Skin Cancer in Childhood Cancer Survivors

By

Jennifer Larson

January 25, 2023

Researchers sought to determine feasibility of methods for encouraging improved skin cancer self-examination among survivors of childhood cancers.

Weight loss plus vitamin D reduce cancer-linked chronic inflammation

Regular Use of Vitamin D Linked to Fewer Melanoma Cases

January 20, 2023

Lower percentage of individuals seen with history of past or present melanoma, any type of skin cancer among regular users.

Child in hospital bed

Survival Rates High for Children, Teens With Melanoma

January 19, 2023

Primary tumor ulceration, head/neck location, and Breslow thickness >4 mm predict worse survival in teens.

Patient in hospital bed talking to doctor.

General Oncology

Overall Cancer Mortality Continued to Decline From 2019 to 2020

January 17, 2023

Prostate cancer incidence increased from 2014 to 2019; large decrease in cervical cancer incidence linked to HPV vaccine.

Next post in General Oncology

Cancer Patients Have Higher Risk of Breakthrough COVID-19, Poor Outcomes