Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery
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Mastocytosis is a rare disease characterized by a primary pathological increase in mast cells in different tissues. The skin is the most frequently affected organ. Cutaneous mastocytosis, including urticaria pigmentosa, solitary mastocytoma, diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis, and telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans (TMEP), is usually distinguished from systemic mastocytosis. TMEP is characterized mainly by telangiectatic macules. ⋯ TMEP is a rare form of mastocytosis, which occurs mainly in adults, generally has a good prognosis, and little tendency to urticate or show constitutional symptoms. Clinicians should consider this disorder when confronted with a progressive atypical telangiectatic lesion. However, the malignant neoplasm also found in this patient is of uncertain significance.
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Psoriasis is a widespread skin disorder in which nail involvement is a common symptom. Many psoriatic patients have nail changes morphologically resembling onychomycosis. ⋯ Dystrophic nails are frequently found in psoriatic individuals, especially those suffering from arthropathic psoriasis. Subungual hyperkeratosis and pitting are the most typical lesions. It is difficult to assess definitively whether psoriasis is a predisposing factor to the development of fungal infections of the nails.
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A Skin Cancer Registry was established in the province of Trento in northeast Italy in 1992 with the aim of collecting data on all cutaneous tumors affecting residents. These neoplasms are responsible for considerable morbidity and utilization of the Health Service because of their high frequency and, therefore, knowledge of the exact incidence is very important in planning health policies. Registry data are also very helpful in performing studies of analytical and descriptive epidemiology. ⋯ We report the analysis of the data collected by the Skin Cancer registry in a 6 year period and compare the data with published data in literature and with data of a previously registered melanoma file. Our results confirm the high incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers and the variation in the histological patterns of CM.
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Persons 50 years of age and older are not only at increased risk of developing herpes zoster, they are also more likely to suffer the long-term morbidity of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is pain persisting after the rash of herpes zoster has healed. PHN affects at least 40% of all herpes zoster patients over age 50 and over 75% of herpes zoster patients over age 75; PHN is the single most common neurologic condition in elderly patients. ⋯ Reduction of PHN can best be achieved with the use of antiviral medication early in the course of herpes zoster; other classes of drugs are minimally effective in treating established PHN. Widespread use of the varicella vaccine may lead to secondary reductions in PHN in the distant future.
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Paget's disease is an extremely rare condition of the male breast that presents as an eczematous change of the nipple and areola. It is almost always associated with an underlying intraductal carcinoma. ⋯ Mammary Paget's disease is a rare phenomenon among men.