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C Garbe

Publications and source records attributed to C Garbe.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Adjuvant therapy of primary malignant melanoma with natural human interferon-beta. Significant survival advantage in 96 treated patients in comparison with 288 untreated symptomatic controls].

In the dermatological department of Dortmund's Municipal Medical Centre, between May 1986 and April 1991 a total of 105 patients with primary malignant melanoma (stage I) underwent adjuvant treatment with 5 million IU natural interferon beta as a 30-min i.v. infusion three times weekly for 6 months. During follow-up the patients were examined at short intervals and all recurrences and disease-related cases of death were documented up to September 1992. We evaluated the outcome of patients treated with interferon beta (n = 96 with valid notes of tumour thickness) compared with untreated historical controls (n = 288) matched for tumour thickness, localization, and sex, taken from the Central Malignant Melanoma Registry (CMMR) of the German Dermatological Society. Therefore, the main prognostic factors were identical between cases and controls. A computerized randomization was used to fit three control patients to each treated patient. Survival rate and recurrence-free survival were estimated in both groups for a period of 5 years. During the follow-up 3 patients died in the interferon beta group and the 5-year survival rate was 95%, as against 89% in the control group (P < 0.05 for difference between survival curves). Recurrence-free survival curves were also more favourable for interferon-treated patients than for the control group (P = 0.06). A detailed analysis of high-risk patients with tumour thickness of over 1.5 mm also demonstrated obviously better survival (5 years: 95% vs 77%; P = 0.012) and recurrence-free survival rates (5 years: 75% vs 53%; P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Disappearance of the ozone layer and skin cancer: attempt at risk assessment].

The increased incidence of skin cancer recorded worldwide is alarming. The incidence of malignant melanoma has doubled in Germany every 10-15 years during recent decades, for example, as documented in the population-based cancer registry of the Saarland. In 1989, the incidence was 8.3 cases/100,000 inhabitants a year equally for both sexes. Non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas) showed a similar dramatic increase like melanoma and ranged in second place in the Saarland Cancer Registry in 1989, exceeded in men only by lung cancers and in women only by breast cancer. Their incidence was 93.4/100,000 in men and 55.8/100,000 in women. Epidemiological studies worldwide revealed a correlation between the increase of skin cancer incidence and UV exposure in white populations, and Caucasians living in regions near the equator are predominantly affected by this increase. Recently, incidence values for non-melanoma skin cancer in the USA were reported to be 232/100,000, whereas, for Queensland/Australia even numbers as high as 2398/100,000 (males) and 1908/100,000 (females) have been published. So far, the increase in skin cancer incidence has been related to changes in leisure time habits with increasing UV exposure. In this paper, an attempt is made to estimate any additional future risks for the development of skin cancer as a result of increasing UV radiation caused by stratospheric ozone depletion. Its reduction has been reported to be 3% over large areas of the globe (65 degrees North to 65 degrees South) according to the latest study of the United Nations Environment Programme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Atmosphere↗
PubMed1993

[The HLA pattern in Adamantiades-Behçet's disease in Germany. Association of occurrence, clinical symptoms and follow-up in 39 patients].

The frequencies of HLA-class I antigens were studied in 39 patients with Adamantiades-Behçet's disease and were compared with those in 1415 [corrected] healthy controls; both patients and controls were of German origin. Moreover, the correlations of HLA antigens with onset, various clinical features and the course of the disease were investigated and the familial clustering of the disease was examined. We found an increased frequency of the HLA-B5 antigen in these series (P < 0.05, relative risk 2.6, confidence interval 1.2-5.5). The presence of HLA-B5 was more frequently detected in male (41%, relative risk 4.9, confidence interval 1.8-13.1) than in female patients (9%; P < 0.05). A significantly higher frequency of HLA-B5 was found in male patients with severe vascular involvement, including blindness and thrombosis, than in HLA-B5-positive male patients without these features. Incidences of genital ulcers, ocular involvement, cutaneous features, positive pathergy test and of secondary symptoms as well as the age of onset and the duration of development of the complete clinical picture were all found not to be significantly correlated with any of the HLA-A, -B, -C alleles. Familial clustering was also not found in German patients. Because of the low relative risk in the presence of HLA-B5 and the lacking familial clustering, it seems likely that there is a weak immunogenetically determined predisposition for Adamantiades-Behçet's disease in Germany. HLA-B5-positive male persons of German origin show a higher relative risk to develop or acquire Adamantiades-Behçet's disease than female ones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Proliferation and morphology of melanoma cells and benign human melanocytes under varying culture conditions.

In order to enable a direct comparison of gene expression in human melanoma cells and in normal human melanocytes, culture conditions were investigated under which both cell populations can be grown in vitro. Five of 13 melanoma cell lines tested could be cultured to confluence in a melanocyte medium containing fetal calf serum, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and stimulators of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, whereas none could be grown to confluence in a serum-free hormone-supplemented melanocyte medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor and other mitogens. In both melanocyte media the melanoma cells showed signs of increased morphological differentiation with dendrite formation. Normal human melanocytes could be grown in melanoma cell medium for a few days, after which the cultured cells showed a less differentiated phenotype. Since morphological changes may reflect variations in gene expression, we suggest that comparative studies on gene expression of benign and malignant melanocytes should also include thorough investigation under identical culture conditions.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1992

A rapid and sensitive fluorometric microassay for determining cell mediated cytotoxicity to adherent growing cell lines.

In order to measure cell mediated cytotoxicity to adherent growing cell lines in vitro more rapidly and conveniently, a fluorometric microassay was developed and results were compared with those obtained by the 51Cr release assay. The fluorometric method is based on the hydrolysis of the fluorochrome 4-methylumbelliferyl heptanoate (MUH) by intracellular esterases of viable cells. Melanoma cell monolayers were incubated with lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells for 4 h at various effector: target (E:T) cell ratios (E:T = 16, 8, 4, 2:1). Thereafter surviving adherent melanoma cells were stained with MUH for 30 min and fluorescence was measured directly in a 96 well plate reader. For the calculation of LAK cell cytotoxicity fluorescence values were corrected for the number of nonspecifically detached tumor cells during the washes and the number of nonspecifically adherent LAK cells. Using identical target and effector cell preparations both assays showed a nearly proportional increase of percentage cytotoxicity with rising numbers of lymphocytes. Compared with the 51Cr release assay, however, higher cytotoxicity values were obtained with the fluorometric MUH microassay: 57% with MUH versus 26% with 51Cr and 39% versus 14% for cell lines StML-11 and SKMel-28, respectively (E:T ratio = 16:1). The higher cytotoxicity rates obtained with the fluorometric MUH microassay were not due to the additional 30 min staining with MUH or due to nonspecific hydrolysis of MUH by extracellular esterases released from damaged cells, as could be shown by a series of experiments. In conclusion, a simple and rapid fluorometric microassay has been developed showing reliable reproducibility and a higher sensitivity compared with the 51Cr release assay for the determination of cellular cytotoxicity to adherent growing cell lines, avoiding hazardous radioactive labels.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiologic evidence for the role of melanocytic nevi as risk markers and direct precursors of cutaneous malignant melanoma. Results of a case control study in melanoma patients and nonmelanoma control subjects.

BACKGROUND: Melanocytic nevi (MN) are markers of melanoma risk, but their potential role as precursors of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: The overall and site-specific relative risk (RR) of developing CMM was evaluated according to site-specific MN counts. METHODS: MN prevalence by anatomic site and by age was compared in 200 CMM patients and in 200 nonmelanoma control subjects; RRs were calculated. RESULTS: In CMM patients both MN and CMM were mainly found on the legs in women and on the posterior trunk in men, whereas in the control subjects most MN were found on the arms. MN counts on the trunk in men and on the legs in women were best predictors of the overall CMM risk (RR: 33-fold and 15-fold, respectively, for greater than 20 vs up to 4 MN). For both genders combined, the RR for CMM developing on the trunk and legs (predominant CMM locations) was best predicted by MN counts in the respective body region (RR: 24-fold and 27-fold, respectively). MN prevalence peaked in the fourth to fifth decade of life and most CMM were diagnosed during the fifth and sixth decades. CONCLUSION: The site-specificity of melanoma risk found for high MN counts on the trunk and the legs and the close similarities in age distribution suggest that the role of MN as direct precursors of CMM has been underestimated and exceeds the number of histologically evident MN associated with CMM.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The prognosis of primary and metastasising melanoma. An evaluation of the TNM classification in 2,495 patients.

The prognostic value of the TNM classifications of the UICC dated 1978 and 1987, was investigated in a population of 2,495 patients who were followed up over the long term. In the case of primary melanoma, Breslow's tumour thickness proved to be the most powerful predictor of patient survival in multivariate analysis, while the significance of Clark's level ranged after that of both localisation of the primary tumour and the sex of the patient. The continuous proportional relationship between tumour thickness and risk of death makes it possible to regrade thickness groups. Grading cutoffs at 1, 2 and 4 millimetres, with no account being taken of depth of invasion, proved to be particularly favourable for a classification in accordance with prognostic criteria. In advanced stages of the disease, the outcome of locoregional and distant metastasis is significantly different; and furthermore in the case of locoregional metastasis, in-transit and satellite metastases exert a significantly better prognosis than regional lymph node involvement. Isolated juxtaregional lymph node metastases occurred primarily or during the course of the observation period in only 19 patients of our group, and, in comparison with visceral metastases, proved to have only an insignificantly better prognosis. For this reason, it would appear meaningful to assign them to a common stage. On the basis of these results, proposals are made for modifications of the TNM classification.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiology of malignant melanoma in central Europe: risk factors and prognostic predictors. Results of the Central Malignant Melanoma Registry of the German Dermatological Society.

The Central Malignant Melanoma Registry (CMMR) of the German Dermatological Society was established in 1983, and 7789 cutaneous malignant melanomas (CMM) were registered by 35 dermatological departments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland until the end of 1989. Population-based incidence rates, risk factors for developing CMM and prognostic parameters for predicting the final outcome were investigated in separate multicenter studies performed by the CMMR. Among the 7789 CMM registered, there was a preponderance of females (57.7%) versus males (42.3%). The age distribution peaked in the 5th and 6th decade of life for both sexes with a mean age of 52 years. The mean detection age was 50 years for superficial spreading melanoma, 53 for nodular melanoma, and 65 for lentigo maligna melanoma. Mean tumor thickness decreased from 2 mm in 1983 to 1.5 mm in 1989, indicating better CMM-awareness of the population and the medical community in this area. 90% of the patients presented with clinical stage I CMM without detectable metastases at first diagnosis. The incidence of CMM in Berlin (West) was assessed based on 960 cases diagnosed between 1980 and 1986. The incidence increased by 49% between 1980-81 and 1985-86, and the age standardized-incidence rate (European standard population) was 9.8 for males and 7.8 for females per 100,000 inhabitants and year in 1985-86. Mortality rates decreased in this period from 3.5 to 2.6 for males and slightly increased for females from 1.2 to 1.6 per 100,000 inhabitants and year. A case control study on the relative risk (RR) for developing CMM revealed the total number of melanocytic nevi (MCN) to be the strongest risk predictor (15x -50x increased RR), followed by the presence of dysplastic MCN (7x increased RR) and the skin type I (2x increased RR). Interestingly, no differences between CMM-cases and controls were found with respect to the history of sunburns or other parameters of sun exposure in this study. Multivariate analysis of 5093 stage I CMM-patients from four departments with long-term follow-up revealed that tumor thickness is the strongest predictor of survival with an almost linear correlation to the risk of death for tumor thickness up to 6 mm with no further increase in mortality for higher tumor thickness. The best classification of tumor thickness for survival prediction was less than or equal to 1 mm, 1.01-2 mm, 2.01-4 mm and greater than 4 mm in our data set on 5093 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in treatment of patients with HIV-associated mucocutaneous Kaposi sarcoma. Successful use in virus and drug-induced leukopenia].

Three patients with HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma were treated with human recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). They had all developed leucopenia during treatment with recombinant interferon-alpha-2a, in two cases combined with vincristine. In all three patients, there was an obvious rapid stimulation after s.c. injection of 300 or 150 micrograms G-CSF per day; the white blood count reached normal values within only a few days and partial transformation to leucocytosis took place. After discontinuation of G-CSF, leucocyte counts regressed rapidly to pretreatment levels. A dose of 150 micrograms of G-CSF twice to three times per week proved to be sufficient to keep the white blood cell count in the normal range allowing the treatment necessary for Kaposi sarcoma. G-CSF therapy had no serious side effects. One of the patients developed a tumour-like infiltration in his left upper jaw, which histologically simulated Burkitt's lymphoma and which regressed spontaneously after discontinuation of the G-CSF therapy. G-CSF plays an important role in the treatment of patients with HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma and enables combined treatment with zidovudine, interferon, and cytostatic drugs.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Combination of interferon-alpha with cytostatic drugs: a potentially successful therapeutic approach in metastatic melanoma].

Pharmacological treatment of disseminated melanoma is characterized by rather low objective response rates with mono- and combined chemotherapy and by significant toxicity. For these reasons, many centres do not now offer any systemic treatment to melanoma patients with distant metastases. Systemic treatment with interferons has not fulfilled all that was expected of it, but type-I interferons (-alpha, -beta) have proved to be effective in about 10-15% of patients treated. The antitumour activity of these substances seems to be related mainly to their antiproliferative effect, whereas no immunomodulatory effects have been substantiated in clinical trials. Combined therapy with interferons and cytostatic drugs was introduced into clinical trials only a few years ago, and the initial results are promising. Large studies with a total of over 200 patients have already been performed to evaluate the combination of interferon-alpha and dacarbazine. This treatment was effective in around 50% of the patients, complete or partial remission being achieved in 30% and stabilization of the disease, in 20%. Toxicity is significant, but still manageable; the new generation of antiemetic drugs (serotonin receptor blockers), in particular appears promising. Up to now, no improvement of efficacy has been found following addition of interferon-alpha to cisplatin in four clinical trials. In a study in our own department, however, the combined action of interferon alpha and vindesine was found to be superior to that of either used as a single agent, and the combination was well tolerated on an outpatient basis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1992

Combined treatment of metastatic melanoma with interferons and cytotoxic drugs.

The treatment of disseminated melanoma with monotherapy and combined chemotherapy is still associated with rather low objective response rates and significant toxicity. Therefore, more effective substances and regimens with less toxicity are desired in the pharmacologic treatment of metastatic melanoma. The initial high expectations placed in systemic cancer treatment with interferons (IFNs) were not fulfilled, but IFN-alpha as a single substance revealed an objective response rate of 10% to 15% in melanoma patients. Clinical and experimental results suggest that the antitumoral activity of IFNs is mainly related to their antiproliferative effect, whereas immunomodulatory effects were not substantiated in clinical investigations. Results of in vitro trials showed that type-I IFNs may produce antagonistic effects combined with some agents (eg, cisplatin) and synergistic effects combined with others (eg, vindesine and BCNU). Clinical trials with combined IFN and cytostatic drug therapy were started a few years ago and have yielded promising initial results. Several studies with an entire number of more than 200 patients have already been performed to evaluate the combination of IFN-alpha and dacarbazine. This regimen was effective in over 50% of the patients, leading to complete or partial remissions in 27% and stabilization of the disease in an additional 28%. Toxicity is significant but still manageable, especially with a new generation of antiemetic drugs (serotonin receptor blockers). Several clinical trials performed so far did not find an improved efficacy by adding IFN-alpha to cisplatin or to vinblastine. The combination of IFN-alpha and vindesine seems to be more favorable and superior to the response rates of single agents and was well tolerated in an ongoing trial in our clinic. Recently, a new generation of multidrug combinations including IFN-alpha has been initiated and several reports with overall response rates greater than 50% have been published. In conclusion, combined regimens with IFN-alpha and different cytostatic drugs seem to be superior to treatments with cytostatic drugs alone and rather safe in disseminated melanoma. Additional combinations of IFNs and cytostatic drugs should be evaluated in future in vitro studies and in clinical trials.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1992

[The sun and malignant melanoma].

The aetiological role of sunlight in the development of cutaneous malignat melanoma (CMM) is still controversial. The aim of the present review is to discuss the contradictory findings and to reinterpret them in the light of recent epidemiological results. The following clinical and epidemiological features have raised doubts on an aetiological impact of sunlight in CMM development: the anatomical distribution of CMM does not closely match the body areas most exposed to sunlight, and CMM is most common during the middle decades of life (except for the subtype of lentigo maligna melanoma, which accounts for 10% of all CMM). Furthermore, no elevated CMM risk after sunburns or increased sun exposure has been detected in most of the case control studies performed so far. The most important risk factors, however, were the total number of melanocytic naevi in whole-body counts followed by such pigmentation characteristics as skin type and hair colour. On the other hand, the CMM incidence increases in white populations with increasing proximity of domicile to the equator and thus with increasing intensity of UV irradiation, and 5-10 times higher incidence rates have been reported from Australia and the southern states of the USA than from Europe. In industrialized nations with white populations a steep increase in CMM incidence has been described, with the main rise in body regions more frequently exposed to the sun in the last decades (trunk in men and boys and lower extremities in girls and women). Two results from recent epidemiological studies may help to clarify the contradictory findings above: first, sunburn in childhood and adolescence was shown in several case control studies to significantly elevate the risk of melanoma development, but further sunburn during adulthood did not contribute to any further risk elevation. Secondly, a study in Canadian school children revealed significantly higher naevus counts in subjects with numerous or severe episodes of sunburn in the previous 5 years. In conclusion, exposure to the sun in childhood and adolescence induces melanocytic naevi, which are known as markers of an elevated melanoma risk as well as possible precursors of CMM. Strategies to reduce melanoma incidence should therefore begin by restricting exposure to sunlight in young children and adolescents.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗
PubMed1991

Borrelia burgdorferi-associated cutaneous B cell lymphoma: clinical and immunohistologic characterization of four cases.

Four patients with low-grade malignant B cell lymphoma of the skin in association with chronic Borrelia burgdorferi infection are presented. Plaque-shaped or nodular erythematous lesions with ill-defined borders were seen. Clinical progression was slow; the skin tumors occurred for up to 7 to 15 years. Extracutaneous involvement was found in only one case. Immunohistologic investigations showed an expression of B cell markers with restriction to only one light chain type and absence of T cell antigens. The growth fraction was 5% to 30%, as shown with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67. The immunoarchitecture of the tumors in three patients was unusual compared with established criteria for cutaneous B cell lymphoma and revealed similarities to mucosa-associated B cell lymphoma. Some immunohistologic heterogeneity may indicate the development of monoclonal proliferation that originated from different phases of B lymphocytic differentiation. In three cases no clinical signs of B. burgdorferi infection were found; in one patient acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans was present. The occurrence of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans and malignant lymphomas was frequently reported in the European literature before B. burgdorferi was recognized. These findings suggest a relation between B. burgdorferi infection and cutaneous B cell lymphoma. In geographic regions where infected ticks are present, borreliosis should be considered in patients with cutaneous B cell lymphoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Effects of interferons on cultured human melanocytes in vitro: interferon-beta but not-alpha or -gamma inhibit proliferation and all interferons significantly modulate the cell phenotype.

The effects of human recombinant interferon-alpha-2a (rIFN-alpha), natural interferon-beta (nIFN-beta) and recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) on the proliferation, morphology and antigen expression of cultured human melanocytes were studied in vitro. The investigations were performed in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)- and serum-containing melanocyte growth medium (MGM), in TPA- and serum-free complete melanocyte medium (CMM) and its mitogen reduced variant (RMM). In MGM, none of these interferons inhibited the growth of normal melanocytes at concentrations 1-10,000 international units (IU)/ml over a period of 5 d. Only nIFN-beta, dose dependently, inhibited melanocyte proliferation in CMM and RMM in a 6- and 12-d assay (growth inhibition at 10,000 IU/ml; 77-80% of the controls, p less than 0.001). In contrast, rIFN-alpha and rIFN-gamma exerted no (RMM), or minor effects (CMM) on melanocyte proliferation (only in 12-d assays at 10,000 IU/ml: 24% and 21% of the controls respectively, p less than 0.01). In parallel experiments performed on melanoma cells, all three interferons were potent inhibitors of proliferation in a 5-d serum-free assay (growth inhibition at 10,000 IU/ml; rIFN-alpha 59%, nIFN-beta 78%, rIFN-gamma 56%, all p less than 0.001). In addition, nIFN-beta and also rIFN-gamma caused striking morphologic changes of normal melanocytes in vitro. Especially under greater than or equal to 10 IU/ml rIFN-gamma cytoplasmic spreading and flattening of the cultured melanocytes and their nuclei were seen, thus resembling melanoma cells in vitro. Untreated human melanocytes grown in MGM showed high expression of the melanoma-associated antigens HMB-45 (95-100%) and K.1.2 (40-100%), whereas the progression marker A.1.43 was present only on less than 5% of the cells. Cultured melanocytes were 95-100% positive for histocompatibility antigen class I (HLA-I), 30-75% were positive for ICAM-1, whereas they were negative for HLA-DR. After treatment with rIFN-alpha, increased expression of HLA-I antigens was found; nIFN-beta and rIFN-gamma decreased the labeling with HMB-45 (75-100%) and with K.1.2 (25-80%), whereby the expression of A.1.43 was found slightly increased (5-15%). The HLA class I antigens were upregulated by both nIFN-beta and rIFN-gamma, nIFN-beta being the most potent agent. Also, both nIFN-beta and rIFN-gamma increased the expression of ICAM-1 (nIFN-beta, 75-90%; rIFN-gamma, 90-95%) and induced de novo expression of HLA-DR antigen (nIFN-beta, 15-20%; rIFN-gamma, 65-95%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

A case of classical mycosis fungoides associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I.

A 72-year-old male patient from north-eastern Iran developed the typical clinical and histopathological features of mycosis fungoides with lymphadenopathy, but without any other systemic involvement. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I) antibodies were detected in the patient's serum by two different ELISAs and by Western blot using purified viral particles from MT-2 culture supernatants. Cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes were positive for labelling with anti-HTLV-I serum. Southern blot hybridization of DNA extracted from a skin tumour and from an involved lymph node revealed integrated proviral DNA with identical restriction patterns. This case supports a relationship between mycosis fungoides and HTLV-I and may indicate a new region of endemic HTLV-I infection.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Genetically determined coincidence of Kaposi sarcoma and psoriasis in an HIV-negative patient after prednisolone treatment. Spontaneous regression 8 months after discontinuing therapy.

We report the case of drug-induced, acrolocalized Kaposi sarcoma (KS), arising multicentrically in both palms and soles of a male patient who has had widespread psoriasis since 12 years of age. This 59-year-old man, of Mediterranean origin, was HIV antibody-negative and had received oral prednisolone treatment over 5 months for chronic obstructive lung disease (initial dose: 75 mg/d). Eight months after discontinuing oral treatment the KS nodules regressed spontaneously and finally disappeared completely without additional treatment. Light and electron microscopic investigations confirmed the diagnosis of KS, whereas laboratory tests excluded HIV infection and suggested mild immune dysfunction. The existence of HLA loci predisposing to KS and to psoriasis (A1, DR5, DR7, DR11) was characteristic for the simultaneous occurrence of these two diseases. This case report demonstrates the complex interrelationships between genetic predisposition, drugs leading to immune suppression, and the evolution of an unusual neoplasm.

Disease Susceptibility↗
PubMed1991

Incidence and mortality of malignant melanoma in Berlin (West) from 1980 to 1986.

Newly diagnosed melanomas were investigated utilizing the histological reports from the 4 Departments of dermatology as well as from 3 Departments of pathology in Berlin (West) during the years 1980-86. The study included 960 melanomas and documented the histological features, age, gender and nationality of the patients involved. 936 patients were Germans (379 males, 557 females), and the mean age-adjusted incidence rate (for the European standard population) was 7.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and year for both genders with an increase between 1980-81 and 1985-86 in men from 6.0 to 9.8 and in women from 5.8 to 7.8/100,000 and year. Thus a 49% increase in incidence was observed for both genders combined during a 5-year period. In this study, a preponderance of male incidence rates was observed for the first time in Germany. Interestingly, the age-adjusted incidence rate for the Turkish population, which is the largest foreign population with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Berlin, was only 1.3/100,000 and year. 162 men and 145 women died of melanoma in the time period examined. From 1980-81 to 1985-86, the age-adjusted mortality rate changed from 3.5 to 2.6 for men and from 1.2 to 1.6 for women per 100,000 and year, thus revealing a slight decrease in mortality for both genders combined.

Adult↗