PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Dalac

Publications and source records attributed to S Dalac.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Melanoma and tumor thickness: challenges of early diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the basic assumption of campaigns for early diagnosis of melanoma, ie, prognosis is correlated with the delay in the diagnosis. DESIGN: Prospective study of the correlation between delays to diagnosis, assessed using a questionnaire, and the Breslow thickness as a prognosis marker. SETTING: Dermatology departments in France. PATIENTS: Five hundred ninety consecutive patients, referred within 12 weeks after resection of cutaneous melanoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of 5 successive time intervals from the first time the patients realized that they had a lesion until the resection of the melanoma, and results of the correlation between each time interval and tumor thickness (Breslow). RESULTS: There is a positive but weak correlation between tumor thickness and the delay to identify a lesion as suspicious (r = 0.17; P = .009). However, this delay tends to be short for the thickest tumors. There is a negative correlation between tumor thickness and the delay to seek medical attention (r = -0.20; P<.001). This delay was shorter for nodular melanoma. No correlation is found between melanoma thickness and physicians' delays. CONCLUSIONS: Poor prognosis can be accounted for by aggressive rapidly growing tumors rather than by delays. In well-informed populations, campaigns for early diagnosis of melanoma may thus no longer have a major impact on prognosis, unless they are focused on subgroups less accessible to information and medical care.

Female↗
PubMed1999

CD4+ CD56+ cutaneous neoplasms: a distinct hematological entity? Groupe Français d'Etude des Lymphomes Cutanés (GFELC).

We report seven cases of particular cutaneous tumors selected from the register of the French Study Group on Cutaneous Lymphomas. The patients (three men, four women) were aged 37-86 years. They initially presented with cutaneous nodules or papules. Three cases presented with regional lymph nodes. Stagings were negative, except for one patient with bone marrow involvement. Histological features were relevant with pleomorphic medium T-cell lymphoma, but these cells exhibited a distinguishing phenotype. They were positive for CD4, CD56, and also CD45, CD43, and HLA-DR. All other T-cell and B-cell markers were negative. The myelomonocytic markers (CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33, CD117, myeloperoxidase, and lysozyme) were negative excepted CD68, which was clearly positive in four cases and weakly in two cases. Others natural killer cell markers (CD16, CD57, TiA1, granzyme B), TdT, and CD34 were negative. Polymerase chain reaction studies did not detect any B or T clonal rearrangement. The cytogenetic studies, performed in five cases, showed a del(5q) in two cases. All patients were treated successfully by polychemotherapy, but relapsed quickly in the skin, between 4 and 28 months. Five patients developed bone marrow involvement, with leukemia in three cases, and they died in 5-27 months. One patient died at 17 months with skin progression. The seventh patient is alive at 33 months, with cutaneous progression. The origin of these cells is unclear. Despite expression of CD4 or CD56, we failed to demonstrate a T-cell, natural killer cell origin. However, CD4 and CD56 are not specific for T or natural killer lineages. Although these two markers are also known to be expressed by monocytic cells, classic myeloid antigens were negative. These seven cases, together with other rare similar cases already reported, seem to represent a distinct entity likely developed from hematological precursor cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Distal cutaneous necrosis, an unusual etiology: hyperhomocysteinemia].

INTRODUCTION: Homocysteine is a sulfur amino acid occurring in methionine intermediary metabolism. It was recently shown to be a vascular risk factor even without high serum levels. CASE REPORT: A 29-year-old woman had painful plantar nodules and necrosis of the fifth toe on the right foot with cyanosis of the forefoot. The histology examination of a nodule biopsy gave the diagnosis of subcutaneous thrombophlebitis. Vascular explorations disclosed advanced-stage arteriopathy of the leg. The methionine loading test was abnormal and search for the heterozygous form of cystathionine ss was positive. DISCUSSION: Different diagnoses could be possible for cases associating an inflammatory venous disease and stage IV arteritis. Latent hyperhomocysteinemia was diagnosed in this case on the basis of the methionine loading test and identification of the heterozygous form of cystathionine ss. Patients with latent hyperhomocysteinemia have an increased risk of both thrombosis and arteritis. Our case emphasizes the importance of searching for hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with early arterial and/or venous thromboembolism, either as repeated episodes or occurring in an unusual territory.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Prognostic significance of a polymerase chain reaction-detectable dominant T-lymphocyte clone in cutaneous lesions of patients with mycosis fungoides.

Although mycosis fungoides (MF) is considered to be an indolent lymphoma, survival is highly influenced by TNM stage. At diagnosis, most MF patients present with early stage disease and a high probability of long-term survival. Treatment is generally directed towards skin lesions, and achievement and duration of complete responses are variable. A dominant T-cell clone is detectable in the cutaneous lesions of 60% of patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of a T-cell clonal population influences the clinical course of the disease after topical therapy. Cutaneous biopsies from 68 patients were histologically diagnosed as MF and T-cell clonality was analyzed by in vitro amplification of TCR-gamma chain gene rearrangements (polymerase chain reaction gamma [PCRgamma]). After a median follow-up of 48 months, response to treatment was clinically assessed. Age, sex, duration of symptoms before diagnosis, type of cutaneous lesions (T stage), TNM stage, and PCRgamma were evaluated as predictive factors of response to treatment in univariate and multivariate analyses. Univariate analysis demonstrated that T1 cutaneous lesions (P = .05) and PCRgamma negativity (P = .007) were associated with a higher complete remission rate. Using multivariate analysis, T stage (relative risk, 3.13; P = .06) and PCRgamma (relative risk, 4.4; P = .01) remained independent significant predictive parameters of response. In conclusion, T stage and cutaneous PCRgamma at diagnosis are the two predictive parameters of treatment response for MF. Therefore, the cutaneous PCRgamma findings should be considered in the analysis of future therapeutic trials.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1998

Value of clonality studies of cutaneous T lymphocytes in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with mycosis fungoides.

Histological features of early mycosis fungoides (MF) can simulate numerous inflammatory lesions and histological confirmation of MF is often delayed, compared with clinical diagnosis. Recently, using molecular techniques, the detection of a dominant T-lymphocyte clone has been reported in cutaneous lesions of MF. The aim of the present study was to determine the diagnostic value of a dominant T-lymphocyte clone as assessed by PCR-DGGE in early MF. Histopathological and molecular analyses were performed on cutaneous lesions from 104 patients clinically suspected as having MF. In this population, the positive predictive value of a PCR gamma(+) was 0.86. In addition, four of six patients whose lesions were PCR gamma(+) (detectable dominant T-cell clone) but not histologically MF progressed to MF within 2-48 months. In order to evaluate the relevance of PCR gamma-DGGE in MF follow-up, serial biopsies were performed in 24 patients. In 89 per cent of cases, the presence or absence of a PCR gamma(+) was constant during the course of the disease. When present, the DGGE imprint of PCR products was case-specific. These data demonstrate the diagnostic value in MF of T-lymphocyte clonality assessed by PCR gamma-DGGE on cutaneous lesions and show that the technique can be used in MF follow-up to evaluate residual disease with high specificity.

Clone Cells↗
PubMed1998

Statistical evaluation of diagnostic and prognostic features of CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders: a clinicopathologic study of 65 cases.

Several clinical and histopathologic features of 65 CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferations were evaluated for their diagnostic value between CD30+ primary versus secondary cutaneous lymphomas and for their prognostic significance. Primary cutaneous disease, spontaneous regression, and absence of extracutaneous spreading (but not age < or =60 years) were associated with a better prognosis. Epithelial membrane antigen, BNH9, CD15 or CBF.78 antigen were expressed in all types of cutaneous lymphoproliferations. However, epithelial membrane antigen immunoreactivity was more frequently expressed in CD30+ secondary cutaneous large-cell lymphoma. Among CD30+ primary cutaneous large-cell lymphoma, CD15 expression was only seen in localized skin lesions. P53 expression was not associated with spontaneous regression, extracutaneous spreading, or survival. Nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction allowed the detection of NPM-ALK transcripts in 10 of 26 CD30+ primary and in 3 of 11 secondary cutaneous large-cell lymphomas. The ALK protein was detected in only 1 of 50 primary and in 4 of 15 secondary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferations. In CD30+ primary cutaneous lymphoproliferation, NPM-ALK transcripts might be expressed by very rare normal or tumoral cells that are undetectable by immunohistochemistry. However, the expression of either NPM-ALK transcripts or ALK-protein was not correlated with prognosis or age in CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferations.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1997

Systemic mast cell disease associated with hairy cell leukaemia.

Systemic mast cell disease (SMCD) can be regarded as a tumorous proliferation of tissue mast cells involving various organs. The frequency with which SMCD is found in patients with haematological disorders suggests that the association is non-random. The association includes primarily, myeloid disorders such as myelodysplastic syndromes and acute or chronic myeloproliferative disorders. Lymphoproliferative disorders may also occur but more rarely, mostly non-Hodgkin's low grade B cell lymphomas. In this report a case is described in which SMCD occurred in a patient with hairy cell leukaemia.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

[Systemic scleroderma and cancers: 21 cases and review of the literature].

Twenty one cases of the association systemic scleroderma and cancer are reported. Neoplasic localisations were the following: pulmonary five cases; breast two cases; esophageal cancer one case; stomach one case; colon one case; uterus four cases; ovarian cancer one case; prostatic cancer one case; renal cancer one case; malignant hemopathies six cases. In the literature, more than three hundred cases of such an association have been reported since 1886, essentially lung cancers (more than 100). Recent epidemiological studies allow to conclude to a higher frequency of lung and breast cancers. We suggest that systemic scleroderma patients should be examined attentively and carefully for these risks.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Purulent pericarditis in dermatopolymyositis].

The authors report the case of a 33-year-old patient with dermatopolymyositis, admitted to hospital for acute cystic pericarditis with fever and deterioration of the general state. The aetiological diagnosis was obtained by analysis of the pericardial fluid after surgical drainage, revealing purulent Staphylococcus aureus pericarditis. This case emphasises that, despite the marked rarity of pericardial effusion in the course of dermatopolymyositis, due to the steroid sensitivity of this disease, the possibility of septic contamination should be considered in the presence of persistent pericarditis in the context of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Verrucous carcinoma. Nosologic aspects, apropos of 4 cases].

INTRODUCTION: The nosology of verrucous carcinomas is a complicated problem. The name given to each manifestation may vary with localization. We report our findings in four cases with this skin disease. CASE REPORTS: Four patients, 76, 52, 76 and 55 years of age, presented with verrucous carcinoma. In the first case, the disease began with a chronic varicose ulceration localized on the anterolateral aspect of the right leg. In the second, the lesion was localized on the lateral aspect of the right leg facing a zone showing signs of repeated microtraumatisms. HPV-18 was isolated in this patient. The third case had a vegetating lesion on the dorsal aspect of the right hand, simulating a wart. The fourth case is a historic case in which a voluminous tumour developed over several years on an ulceration of the medial aspect of the left malleole, associated with trauma and venous insufficiency. COMMENTS: The three recent cases did not raise any particular problem with diagnosis. The diagnosis in the historical case, published in 1969 as a vegetating pyoderma, was corrected later. This illustrates the nosology problems raised in this particular form of epidermoid carcinoma which often has an impressive clinical presentation and a reassuring histology. The group of verrucous carcinomas include different skin or mucosal lesions formerly designated as oral florid papillomatosis, Buschke-Löwenstein acuminate condyloma or pseudo-epitheliomatous vegetating pyoderma. Cuniculatum epithelioma was added to this group for simplification although this rarely observed lesion is a separate entity. CONCLUSION: The pathology diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma requires large and deep biopsy. Treatment is surgical and regular follow-up is needed as for all malignant tumours.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Congenital pachyonychia, neurofibromatosis and sensory-motor polyneuropathy].

INTRODUCTION: A 71-year-old man consulted because he could not walk due to spots of hyperalgic, invalidating plantar keratodermia. A nearly identical symptomatology was observed in several members of the family suggesting an autosomal dominant hereditary disease due to painful callosities as described by Roth in 1978. CASE REPORT: The patient had pachyonychia on all fingers and toes, only the ring fingers and the fifth toes were not involved. Multiple epidermoid follicular cysts were also found on the trunk suggesting the diagnosis of type II hereditary pachyonychia or Jackson-Lawler disease. Axonal polyneuropathy was also found with cutaneous signs of neurofibromatosis. Cytology studies were performed in order to elucidate the relationship between these different findings. It was not possible to retain the diagnosis of complex axonal polyneuropathy as described by Tolmie where autosomal dominant inheritance of early onset ungueal dystrophy is associated with punctuated palmoplantar keratodermia and hereditary sensoromotor axonal neuropathy. CONCLUSION: This patient presented several types of complex neurocutaneous manifestations which could not be successfully related to each other.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Sheep wool granuloma].

INTRODUCTION: We report the unusual case of cutaneous foreign body granulomas provoked by sheep wool. CASE REPORT: A 45-years old woman presented within one year two episodes of a papular eruption on her neck and limbs. She was working as a farmer's wife and each episode occurred after preparing the ewes for coupling. She had to keep a tight hold on the ewes while the farmer introduced warm and moist compresses in the genitals of the animals. Each diseased skin area was closely related to the tight contact with the sheep's wool and on histological slides each granuloma was centered by a tiny ply of wool. DISCUSSION: This foreign body reaction may be compared to the trichogranulomas of hairdressers. In sheep breeders this occupational practice is very usual and one may wonder why this type of reaction seems so rare.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Juvenile dermatomyositis: treatment with intravenous gammaglobulin.

High-dose intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) has proved to be effective in the treatment of a number of immune disorders. We report two patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) who improved with IVGG therapy. These patients had become refractory to corticosteroids and had developed unacceptable steroid toxicity. We suggest that IVGG can be useful in the treatment of juvenile DM, by reducing steroid requirements, and replacing immunosuppressive drugs.

Child↗
PubMed1994

[Contact allergy to gold and its alloys. Pertinence of gold salt patch tests].

Allergic contact dermatitis to gold and its alloys is a rare affection and it is difficult to interpret gold salts patch tests. We report two cases of patients with positive patch tests to 0.5% sodium aurothiosulfate discovered during a dermatology exploration of an occupational contact eczema (for the first patient) and an intolerance to gold jewelry (for the second). There is much confusion in the literature concerning the allergologic exploration of contact dermatitis to gold: no standardized test, possible cross reactions between different gold salts, the tests often irritate. The mechanism of sensitization to gold salts is unknown since pure gold is inalterable and does not contain any salts. The pertinence of a positive test to one or more gold salts must therefore be examined carefully and the diagnosis of gold allergy must not be made without sufficient evidence.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Severe contact dermatitis caused by Parfenac cream].

Bufexamac is an anti-inflammatory agent used as topical treatment of various pruritic diseases. Since it was put on the market, this product has been blamed for the occurrence of contact dermatitis (eczema, urticaria) and, rarely, severe toxicodermia. We report a case of severe contact dermatitis developed after application of bufexamac (Parfenac) cream. Patch-tests performed two months after the acute phase were positive (+ + +) for both Parfenac cream and bufexamac.

Bufexamac↗
PubMed1993

[Accidents caused by iontophoresis].

Ionophoresis is a well-established treatment for idiopathic hyperhidrosis. Modern apparatuses are reliable as long as the electrical equipment is used correctly. The authors present five cases of cutaneous incidents resulting in burns and secondary necrosis. Two of the cases could be explained by defective protection and the other three were apparently of the same type although non confirmation could be established. In comparison with uneventful incidences (pruritus, erythematous reactions, dysaesthesia) these spectacular burns should not exist. Machines must be regularly check and only electrodes with optimal protection should be used.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Melanoma and primary hyperparathyroidism].

The authors present 3 cases of melanoma associated with a parathyroid adenoma discovered by routine measurement of blood calcium levels. The melanomas were differently located and had different histological degrees. Hypercalcaemia is an infrequent complication of melanoma. According to data found in the literature, it is most often consecutive to bone metastases. The other causes of hypercalcaemia are metastatic extension of melanoma to the parathyroid glands, secretion of parathormone-related peptide (PTH-RP) and the actions of prostaglandins, vitamin D and the osteoclast-activating factor (OAF). Primary hyperparathyroidism due to adenoma has seldom been described associated with melanoma.

Aged↗