Women's Health

Washington - A human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, based onnoninfectious virus-like particles, could be on the market as earlyas this summer, according to John Schiller, Ph.D., section chief,laboratory of cellular oncology, National Cancer Institute,Bethesda, Md.

Have you ever sat and contemplated the $20 bill? (Have you everreally been that bored?) Most people believe that Rodin's sculptureof "The Thinker" was delving into the meaning of life, but I thinkhe was focusing his mental powers on the redesigned $20 bill. Forexample, have you ever noticed that poor Jackson, with his uncombedhair adrift in the wind, isn't even in the center of the bill? Whatabout the eagle clutching an olive branch that is poking him in theear? Poor soul.

Lebanon, N.H. -- Human papilloma virus (HPV), which is a cause of some epithelial cancers, including cervical, may also be a cause of squamous cell carcinoma, according to researchers.

There are so many changes that affect coding and reimbursement, it's not difficult to understand that some of the changes are not well-received by dermatologists. This is especially true with many new services that include costly drugs and equipment and that require a significant amount of physician time to perform.In this issue, I'll share some questions sent in by frustrated readers, their solutions to the reimbursement dilemmas, and my "You can't do that" advice.

National report ? Modern goals for wart therapy are based on both lesion clearance and recurrence prevention, and achieving those objectives, especially in tough cases, usually requires a combination approach incorporating an agent that will provide antiviral and immunomodulatory activity, says Stephen K. Tyring, M.D., Ph.D.

San Francisco ? Dermatologists are seeing more community-acquired strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to John H. Epstein, M.D.

Las Vegas ? Hormonal therapy with an estrogen-progestin oral contraceptive (OC) can be a useful adjunct for acne treatment in adult women who fail to respond to traditional topical and systemic therapies, according to Julie C. Harper, M.D., at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference.

National report - Biologic agents will not necessarily be more effective than current drugs used for dermatological conditions, but will produce less toxicities, says the professor and chairman of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N. C.

Washington -- Two separate studies show that two companies have developed human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines that appear to be highly effective in preventing vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer and genital warts.

National report — One-third of women with melanoma are of childbearing age at the time of diagnosis. Dermatologists need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions regarding the impact of pregnancy on melanoma prognosis, evaluation and management, Jean L. Bolognia, M.D. says.

National report — Despite industry's and the profession's best efforts, some patients taking isotretinoin are still not heeding warnings concerning pregnancy, a new study shows.

Las Vegas — The new iPLEDGE registry for isotretinoin patients represents an improvement over its predecessors, but it already faces obstacles, including slower-than-anticipated activation rates, according to an expert.

Counterfeit prescription drugs pose a "potentially serious health threat" in the United States — one that can result in serious or deadly consequences for patients because of unscrupulous acts of profiteers who take advantage of a lack of uniform regulation and enforcement.

Counterfeit prescription drugs pose a "potentially serious health threat" in the United States — one that can result in serious or deadly consequences for patients because of unscrupulous acts of profiteers who take advantage of a lack of uniform regulation and enforcement.

Philadelphia - The emergence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and new approaches to treatment of various bacterial illnesses are capturing the interests of dermatologists.

National report — This month begins the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-mandated iPLEDGE system for patients, physicians and providers of isotretinoin.

With these OTC products, one observes superficial frosting that can last for seconds to a few minutes, but its relevance is debatable.

National report — Like isotretinoin itself, the recently mandated patient registry for this drug represents a mixed bag, sources tell Dermatology Times.

MAC typically presents as a smooth dermal nodule or plaque that displays a flesh-colored or yellow hue.

Various papers published in the 1950s described cases of melanoma patients who died from metastatic disease that became rampant after the patients became pregnant.

National report — Preliminary review finds no adverse effects of anti-TNF-alpha agents on pregnancy outcomes. Analyses of limited data collected by the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS) suggest there is no increased risk of major malformations or spontaneous abortions in women who received treatment with an anti-TNF-alpha medication early during pregnancy, reports Christina Chambers, Ph.D., M.P.H., who is current President of OTIS, assistant professor, departments of pediatrics and family and preventive medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif.

Palo Alto, Calif. -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Fraxel, a skin-resurfacing laser device manufactured by Reliant Technologies, for use in the treatment of melasma associated with pregnancy, female hormonal activity and certain drugs.

According to a new Harvard study, more than 90 percent of Pennsylvania physicians practicing in high-liability specialties admit to practicing defensive medicine.

Chicago — Researchers are making progress but still have a long way to go in the field of bioengineered-assisted wound healing, according to some experts.

Chicago — As psoriasis often affects persons during their reproductive years, dermatologists are often faced with decisions regarding management of patients who are pregnant or who want to have a child.

Irvine, Calif. — Recent research validates the long-suspected link between high levels of estrogen occurring during pregnancy and improvement in psoriasis.

If I had wanted to be a professional photographer, I would have foregone the 10 mind-numbing years of medical school, internships and residency training, bought a camera and started clicking. As it was, I became a dermatologist, established a successful practice, bought a camera — 20 in fact — and started clicking.

Anaheim, Calif. — In older patients with skin cancer and other cancers, doctors must weigh the aggressiveness of treatments against the impact they could have on other health conditions and patients' overall quality of life.

National report — With the hope of presenting practical advice that can be applied clinically to female patients by dermatologists across the country, five experts brought forward issues that regularly require attention — including one therapy that may forever change leg vein therapy by an invasive approach once thought not possible in the office setting.

Dr. Harper insists that oral hormones are a safe and effective treatment for women under the age of 35 who have no other risk factors.