News

New York - Cholesterol-lowering statins and fibrates apparently aren't linked to a reduced risk of melanoma, researchers report.

Cardiff, Wales - Patients in the specialist skin condition ward at the University Hospital of Wales, Heath, left their sick beds to protest the planned closure of the ward.

Iowa City, Iowa - The National Genecular Institute (NGI) has announced it is creating the largest known global tissue and genetic storage facility here.

Vancouver, British Columbia - Stem cell transplants for a primary malignancy increase the 10-year risk of developing a second solid tumor, including skin cancers, researchers report.

Rockville, Md. - Patients with moderate to end-stage kidney disease who undergo an MRI or MRA with a gadolinium-based contrast agent may develop nephrogenic systemic fibrosis or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NSF/NFD), a new disease that may cause death, the Food and Drug Administration warns.

Dallas - Low-dose Propecia (finasteride, Merck), used to treat hair loss, appears to suppress prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, which could skew results of prostate cancer tests, researchers say.

Palm Beach, Fla. - Steven P. Rosenberg, M.D., of Palm Beach, Fla., has been appointed to a four-year term on the Florida Board of Medicine by Gov. Jeb Bush.

San Francisco - Cancer researcher James Cleaver, Ph.D., was honored by the American Skin Association for his work on the role of DNA repair in cancer prevention.

Rockville, Md. - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned five firms to stop compounding and distributing standardized versions of topical anesthetic creams marketed for general distribution.

National report - Chances are good that patients in dermatologists' offices have done research on what they have - or think they have - or what they need to have done or think they need to have done.

Brussels, Belgium - A year after receiving a partial face transplant, Frenchwoman Isabelle Dinoire has recovered to an "incredible" degree, one of her surgeons tells Dermatology Times. However, he says long-term risks - including graft rejection and the possible development of cancer as a result of her heavy immunosuppressive drug regimen - persist.

The vaccine completely protected against two strains and offered 60 percent to 90 percent survival against the other three strains.

Clearly, health issues will be high on the agenda of the new leadership in Congress. How it shakes out for dermatologists remains to be seen.

The challenge is to select the information and technology that is promising and practical.

I am a member of a charitable foundation committee that funds research grants to investigators interested in dermatologic scientific questions.

National report - According to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, interleukin-12 (IL-12) produces a partial response rate of 43 percent in patients with previously treated mycosis fungoides.

San Francisco ? Officials of Pain Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based here, is reporting that a proof-of-concept animal study of its new antibody technology for the treatment of skin cancer has produced promising results.

National report - A combined analysis of several studies suggests that the use of statins or fibrates does not decrease the risk of melanoma.

Washington - Botox may relieve severe pain from osteoarthritis of the knee, new research suggests.

Experts dish out the facts on tumescent liposuction

Ranella J. Hirsch, M.D. debunks myths about cleansing

Topicals, lasers and time can diminish scars

Eletrolysis, lasers and topical creams to eliminate hair in unwanted places. Read on to find the best option for you

Know the key to a lifetime of healthy skin. Remember to cleanse, moisturize and treat

Hands are an indication of age, so if yours are plagued with brown spots and freckles consider these treatment options.

Botox and Restylane are two fillers capable of shedding years from your face.

There's a lot that can be done for your appearance, but your dermatologist can't help if she or he doesn't know what's bothering you. Read on to hear about some quick, easy procedures.

If you appear flushed constantly or find acne-like bumps over your cheeks, check with your doctor, because these could be signs of the inflammatory skin disease rosacea

Winter sun protection is a must, as fresh snow reflects more UV radiation than sea surf. An all year sun protection regimen is essential for healthy skin.

Minimally invasive treatments, such as fillers, laser treatments and chemical peels can be done during your lunchtime, allowing you to go back to work looking better than ever.