News

Rotterdam, Netherlands - Researchers here say that Pegintron, a hepatitis C drug marketed by Schering-Plough Corp., helps stop the post-surgery return of melanoma, Reuters reports.

Ann Arbor, Mich. - New research suggests that a form of laser cosmetic surgery first used two decades ago - but which has since fallen out of favor - could make a comeback in treating facial wrinkles, London’s Daily Mail reports.

London - The issue of whether sun exposure is a major cause of melanoma is the subject of two opposing articles published July 22 on bmj.com, the Web site of the British Medical Journal, HealthDay News reports.

Boston - A recently released analysis shows that studies of prescription drugs following their release on the market are becoming more common in the United States, Europe and Japan, The Boston Globe reports.

Washington - More than 90 percent of physicians base their drug-prescribing decisions on multiple sources of information, according to a new survey conducted by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), PRNewswire reports.

Irvine, Calif. - Allergan, based here, has finalized a deal to acquire acne treatment gel Aczone from QLT USA Inc., the Associated Press reports.

Chicago - A national hospital-accrediting agency has issued new requirements aimed at minimizing the kind of physician behavior that can lead to medical errors, the Associated Press reports.

The subprime mortgage crunch is rippling through our economy in a variety of different ways. Many homeowners are postponing plans to sell until the market stabilizes; others, with hopes for trading up to a bigger home, are opting to stay put, turning instead to remodeling or enlarging.

In rejuvenating the midface, it's important to remember the impact that addressing lost cheek volume has both in this area and on the lower face, a Canadian expert says.

According to one expert, continued research in laser surgery has given birth to new and innovative technologies for treating vascular lesions, such as newer wavelengths and combinations of wavelengths.

Dermatologist Suzanne M. Connolly, M.D., thrives on the opportunity to join forces with others to make differences in people's lives.

You don't need to read another article telling you how terrible the malpractice crisis is. You already know that lawsuits are on the rise, jury awards are out of control, malpractice premiums are escalating to the point of being unaffordable, and the practice of medicine as we know it is severely threatened.

Researchers' growing understanding of melanoma's molecular biology is facilitating the development of more effective treatments that may be combined with some existing agents, an expert says.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma rates may be on the rise, but a recent study shows that there are gross misclassifications occurring in respect to the mortality rates of this disease.

Results of a recent study indicate that there is an increase in the incidence of lymphoma among atopic dermatitis patients using topical corticosteroids.

There is increasing evidence demonstrating that photodynamic therapy is effective in the treatment of actinic keratosis, Bowen's Disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ), as well as superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma.

For Mohs surgical practices, the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires special attention to dry-erase boards used to track cases and to the possibility of patients overhearing discussions about slides and specimens, an expert says.

Tips for botulinum toxin injections include using the smallest effective dose, clearly marking injection sites before treatment , and considering male versus female aesthetic standards, an expert says.

A wide variety of athletic pursuits can result in various skin problems, ranging from fungal conditions to inflammatory issues. Some can easily be mistaken for other skin conditions, and physicians should make themselves aware of what to look for.

Physicians who work with teens, athletes or even musicians are likely to encounter acne mechanica. Characterized by small red bumps, acne mechanica typically occurs when nonporous material, such as a strap or helmet, is in regular contact with the skin.

Atopic dermatitis and photosensitivity can cause enough problems for victims of these conditions, but when the sufferers are also active in sports, the conditions can become even more aggravating, and there's not much that can be done other than treating and coping with the ailments.

Environmental elements can increase risks for sun damage, particularly for athletes who spend extended periods outdoors. Athletes should protect themselves by wearing waterproof sunscreens with a very high sun protection factor number, such as SFP 50 and above. Wearing protective clothing is another precautionary measure that athletes can take.

There is no way to avoid getting athlete's foot, which can be transmitted to produce "jock itch" in men. The key to treatment is to give medication enough time to work, and to knock out the fungus in the feet and toes so it doesn't recur in the groin area.

Sweating increases athletes' risks for bacterial skin infections, from impetigo to pitted keratolysis. Sweating combined with contact sports increases those risks.

Athletes who participate in team sports are at an elevated risk of developing certain skin conditions, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Team physicians should be checking for contagions, such as fungi on the body, and ensure athletes shower after practice and wear clean, dry clothing.

Ian H. Frazer, M.D., in collaboration with Jian Zhou, Ph.D., developed the virus-like particle technology that led to the design of effective vaccines for preventing infection with HPV types causing anogenital warts and certain cancers, particularly cervical cancer.

A retrospective analysis was conducted to examine relapse rates in patients treated with various regimens for moderate-to-severe pemphigus vulgaris. Cyclophosphamide as an adjuvant to prednisone demonstrated positive outcomes and an acceptable safety profile.

Recognizing pediatric hemangiomas that require close follow-up and aggressive treatment is critical to patient care, an expert says.

Topical treatment with a 0.05 percent solution of oxymetazoline in a small series of patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea has been associated with encouraging efficacy for reducing erythema and preventing erythematous flares. Aspect Pharmaceuticals is planning a clinical trial of a formula optimized for dermatologic use.