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Biomedical subjects

Ida F Orengo

Publications and source records attributed to Ida F Orengo.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

High prevalence of hypothyroidism in male patients with cutaneous melanoma.

A recent study reported a higher than expected prevalence of hypothyroidism among patients with cutaneous melanoma. To further characterize and validate those findings, we conducted a retrospective review of the prevalence of hypothyroidism among all consecutive patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma in the dermatology clinic at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Houston, Texas. To accomplish this task, the electronic medical records of all patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma at the VAMC from January 2001 through October 2004 were examined for signs of hypothyroidism. Data regarding the site of melanoma and age at diagnosis were obtained for these hypothyroid cases and for age- and gender-matched euthyroid controls from the same melanoma cohort. Among 156 cutaneous melanoma patients (151 male and 5 female), 8 (5.1 %) showed a history of hypothyroidism [7 of 151 male (4.6 %) and 1 of 5 female (20 %)]. The prevalence of hypothyroidism among the male melanoma patients was significantly higher than that reported for the general population. The prevalence data concerning hypothyroidism among our female patients was not considered evaluable due to the primarily male distribution of our study population. We conclude that hypothyroidism (excluding iatrogenic etiologies) is frequent among male patients with cutaneous melanoma. Our results further suggest that a subset of melanoma tumors may respond to hormones of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis, raising many questions that could influence the diagnosis, care, and treatment of a subset of melanoma patients.

Aged↗

Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, or Rosai-Dorfman disease, is a benign idiopathic histiocytic proliferative disorder that commonly involves the lymph nodes but secondarily may involve the skin. However, purely cutaneous disease without lymphadenopathy or internal organ involvement rarely may occur. We present case reports of three patients who presented with asymptomatic nonspecific enlarging skin nodules without evidence of lymphadenopathy or internal disease. Histopathologic examination of skin lesions in all patients showed proliferation of large histiocytes with phagocytosed inflammatory cells characteristic of Rosai-Dorfman disease. However, the diagnoses of dermatofibroma, other spindle cell neoplasm, infectious granulomatous process, and other xanthohistiocytic proliferations were also considered due to the presence of storiform spindle cells and foamy cells in the first case. One patient experienced regression during a course of oral steroids, while another patient cleared spontaneously. In the absence of massive lymphadenopathy characteristic of Rosai-Dorfman disease, the diagnosis of purely cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease may be complicated by the rarity, non-specific clinical appearance of skin lesions, and broad histopathological differential diagnosis of this disorder. A high index of suspicion of the clinician and pathologist is often required.

Adult↗

Hereditary papulotranslucent acrokeratoderma: a case report and literature review.

Hereditary papulotranslucent acrokeratoderma is a rare autosomal-dominant syndrome of the hands and feet characterized by persistent, asymptomatic, yellowish to white papules and plaques associated with fine-textured scalp hair and an atopic diathesis. Histopathologically, focal hyperkeratosis, hypergranulosis, and acanthosis of the epidermis are seen. We present a case of hereditary papulotranslucent acrokeratoderma in a young adult woman. The literature of this unusual condition is reviewed, and its relationship to acquired papulotranslucent acrokeratoderma is discussed.

Adult↗

How I do it. In a pinch.

BACKGROUND: Punch biopsy is a standard method for obtaining tissue sample in dermatology. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to convey the use of towel clips when forceps are not available in performing a punch biopsy. METHODS: After informed consent, a punch biopsy was performed when clinically indicated, using towel clips in place of forceps to aid in removal of the specimen from the patient. RESULTS: The biopsy sample was satisfactory without tissue trauma or crush artifact. CONCLUSIONS: A towel clip is a reasonable alternative when forceps are not available when performing a punch biopsy.

Biopsy↗

On glomus tumors, warts, and razors.

BACKGROUND: Occam's razor encourages ascribing a set of clinical findings to a single diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To present a patient with a subungual wart and a glomus tumor of the same nail unit and to review the literature regarding these conditions. METHODS: We describe a 58-year-old female with a 2-year history of nail dystrophy and related symptoms that were initially attributed to verruca but recalcitrant to extensive therapies. RESULTS: Ultimately the persistence of her symptoms was found to be secondary to a subungual glomus tumor. CONCLUSION: Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for the presence of multiple diagnoses to prevent the delay of appropriate management, particularly when symptoms do not respond to initial treatment.

Female↗

Cutaneous metastasis: a meta-analysis of data.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies of the incidence and the most common causes of cutaneous metastasis have not led to a consensus. We compiled data from many retrospective studies and from patient data registries and autopsies to increase the total number of cases available for a larger analysis of this subject. This study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the true incidence of cutaneous metastasis, the tumors most commonly involved in this presentation, and the locations of such lesions. METHODS: A meta-analysis of cutaneous metastases from patient tumor registries and autopsic studies was performed. RESULTS: The overall incidence of cutaneous metastasis is 5.3%. The most common tumor to metastasize to the skin is breast cancer. The chest is the most common site of cutaneous metastasis. Every practitioner should be highly suspicious of acute-onset, persistent, firm papulonodules, especially when they develop on the chest. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis greatly increases the total number of cases available for the analysis of cutaneous metastases and provides a better overall view of this topic than was previously possible.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor as a potential chemopreventive to UV-induced skin cancer: a study in the hairless mouse model.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the preventive effect of a cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor, celecoxib (Celebrex; G.D. Searle & Co, Skokie, Ill), in UV-induced skin cancer in hairless mice. DESIGN: Randomized dose-response study. A total of 75 SKH-HR-1 female hairless mice, aged 2 months, were randomized into control, low-dose (200 mg twice daily human dose equivalent), and high-dose (400 mg twice daily human dose equivalent) celecoxib treatment groups. Animals received 1 J/cm(2) daily (5 d/wk) total irradiation. The animals were evaluated weekly for appearance of tumors, and the data were analyzed with respect to tumor latency period and tumor multiplicity using statistical software and Wilcoxon rank sum analyses, respectively. Prostaglandin E(2) levels in the blood and skin were assessed in each group. SETTING: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Research and Dermatology Services. INTERVENTION: Animals received restricted diets containing the Food and Drug Administration-approved human equivalent doses of 200 mg (low dose) and 400 mg (high dose) of celecoxib twice daily. Controls received no drug. Tumors were induced in all animals with an equivalent UV dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Animals were evaluated weekly for the appearance of tumors, and data were analyzed with regard to tumor latency period and tumor multiplicity. Constitutive prostaglandin E(2) levels in blood and epidermis were assessed in each group. RESULTS: Low doses and high doses of celecoxib significantly lengthened the tumor latency period (P<.03 and P<.003, respectively) and reduced tumor multiplicity (P<.005 and P<.001, respectively) compared with controls. There were no differences in the constitutive levels of blood or epidermal prostaglandin E(2) in the low- or high-dose treated animals compared with controls when analyzed at study termination. CONCLUSIONS: Celecoxib is an effective and safe chemopreventive agent in UV carcinogenesis. The epidemiologic, laboratory, and animal studies of the influence of celecoxib on cancer incidence and its low association with systemic adverse effects have led to a potentially new therapeutic approach for the prevention of skin cancer.

Animals↗

Controversies in acral lentiginous melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a subtype of melanoma initially described only two and half decades ago, but well-recognized by dermatologists today. However, several areas of controversy surround this entity. OBJECTIVE: The primary aims of this article are to review the literature, highlight recent advances, and review some of the ongoing controversies in ALM. METHODS: A review of the English language literature was performed. RESULTS: Controversy continues to surround ALM, particularly in regard to diagnostic histologic and clinical criteria. This leads to difficulties when reviewing studies that evaluate the epidemiology, etiology, and prognosis of ALM. CONCLUSION: Progress in understanding ALM requires the development of standardized diagnostic criteria.

Forecasting↗

Squamous cell carcinoma in solid-organ transplantation.

Multiple advances in the field of transplantation over the last several decades have resulted in a significant increase in the number of surgeries performed and in years of life extended. However, with the success of transplant comes the dilemma of potential complications of lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. An enormous increase in skin cancer, especially highly-aggressive squamous cell carcinoma, may affect this special population of patients. This review article discusses the main etiologic theories of squamous cell carcinoma, characteristics of skin cancer in the immunosuppressed patient, differences in skin cancer amongst three types of solid-organ transplantation (kidney, heart, and liver), and established and new treatments.

Animals↗