Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
-
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · Apr 2008
Fractionated aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy provides additional evidence for the use of PDT for non-melanoma skin cancer.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an accepted treatment for superficial basal cel carcinoma (sBCC) and Bowens disease. In Rotterdam, extensive preclinical research has lead to an optimized twofold illumination scheme for aminolevulinic acid-PDT (ALA-PDT). ⋯ ALA-PDT using a twofold illumination scheme of 20 plus 80 J/cm(2) separated by a 2-h dark interval leads to high complete response rates at 2 years and can be regarded as an evidence-based treatment modality for superficial growing non-melanoma skin cancer and the (pre)malignant AK. The Rotterdam fractionated approach should be included in future guidelines.
-
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · Mar 2008
Radiotherapy of classic and human immunodeficiency virus-related Kaposi's sarcoma: results in 1482 lesions.
The lesions of the various forms of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), which are relatively radiosensitive, have been treated with different modalities of radiotherapy, with heterogeneous aims and results. ⋯ Radiotherapy showed to be a safe and effective method, with relevant importance in the therapeutic strategy of KS.
-
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · Jan 2008
Comparative StudyNationwide hospitalization costs of skin melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer in Germany.
Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), in contrast to skin melanoma (MEL), is considered a negligible health problem because mortality of NMSC is low. The aim of this study was to provide insights into the burden of NMSC and MEL by analysing nationwide skin cancer hospitalization data and data from a dermatologist panel of Germany. We wanted to estimate hospitalization costs due to skin cancer in Germany. ⋯ In 2003, 20 455 melanoma-related and 41 929 NMSC-related hospitalizations occurred in Germany. Age-standardized hospitalization rates for NMSC were 2.5-fold and 1.8-fold higher among men and women than the rates for MEL, respectively. The age-specific proportions of hospitalizations for NMSC in relation to all cancer-related hospitalizations increased within the age range of 65 years and more. Among people aged 90 years and more, 14% of all cancer-related hospitalizations were due to NMSC. Estimated annual hospitalization costs for MEL were euro50 to 60 million, and those for NMSC were euro105 to 130 million. The estimated number of private dermatologist practice visits in Germany 2003 is considerably higher for NMSC than MEL CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of hospitalizations data and data from private dermatologists give NMSC higher public health relevance than can be obtained from consideration of death statistics.