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Dr. Sun runs a large medical and cosmetic dermatology practice in a moderately wealthy, middle-class Sun Belt community. A large portion of his practice base is above the age of 65. Many of these patients present with a variety of skin cancers. The same patients seek cosmetic treatments with lasers, peels, botulinum toxin, and filler agents. Dr. Sun finds that treating the sola-induced comedones in these patients is not cost-effective. Thus, he gives gratis comedone extractors to his combined medical-surgical patients. He finds that his purchasing and providing such medical devices is a very subtle marketing tool. His patients are very appreciative of this gesture. A fellow jealous competing physician has reported this activity to the state medical board. The complaining physician

Chicago - With all the new at-home hair treatments and recent reports of contact dermatitis and other cutaneous manifestations from using shampoos, conditioners and hair dyes, dermatologists should be keenly aware of products that can harm patients' hair and skin.

San Francisco - For the diagnosis of certain skin cancers, the future may lie in innovative lasers and "bedside" optical microscopes, according to R. Rox Anderson, M.D.

San Francisco - Free fatty acids play a role in the development of dandruff-like conditions, said Joseph R. Kaczvinsky, Jr., Ph.D., principal scientist, beauty care technology division with Procter & Gamble. Based on a study he co-authored with Thomas L. Dawson, Jr., Ph.D., and James R. Schwartz, Ph.D., he presents an advance toward understanding the cause of dandruff.

Rather than simply nod their heads at the importance of exercise for cosmetic surgery candidates, physicians would be well advised to actually "prescribe" exercise as a prerequisite to surgery, said Todd Bezilla, D.O., M.Ed., a certified strength and conditioning specialist board-certified in neuromusculoskeletal medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, and holistic medicine.

Q. What is the dermatologic value of the new soy proteins that seem so popular these days?

Nashville - For the first time, patients with recurrent head and neck tumors have a less invasive alternative to conventional 10- to 12-hour surgery.

Chicago - Among patients receiving a novel immune-based maintenance biotherapy regimen (mBT) for metastatic melanoma, those who developed vitiligo had longer median survival.

San Francisco - Compared with first-generation antihistamines, second-generation agents are more specific antihistamine antagonists that are less sedating and have a longer half-life, Michael D. Tharp, M.D., said.

There is high drama playing out in Washington this summer, and it pits the insurance industry against trial lawyers, Republicans against Democrats; and dermatologists, like other physicians, are caught in the middle.

So many times physicians think of marketing as Yellow Page ads, flashy brochures, or radio and TV commercials. Of course, that is one component of marketing, but the easiest way to market your practice is to provide stellar service to current patients.

San Francisco - Use of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification system for primary cutaneous lymphomas will help dermatologists make an accurate diagnosis and select appropriate treatment for patients with primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, Rein Willemze, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - When treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), dermatologists will want to tailor their treatment to the stage of the disease, according to Madeleine Duvic, M.D., who spoke at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Dr. Dave is always looking for ways to increase his practice revenues. In his practice, he has a good mix of general and surgical dermatology patients, has learned to ethically promote his talents, and has launched a successful Web site. He ponders what else he can do to increase revenues.

The United States is headed into another presidential campaign season, and several top Democratic candidates are making noise about universal healthcare coverage and developing a national healthcare plan. Plans vary from limited care for the uninsured to a full-coverage system reminiscent of the Canadian and British National Health Plans.

San Francisco -- While biological byproducts such as growth factors have a potential role in skin rejuvenation, there is not yet sufficient evidence to measure their true efficacy, according to recent research.

Nashville, Tenn. - The new injectable product Radiance FN (BioForm Inc.) is being used for facial soft-tissue augmentation with long-lasting results and high patient satisfaction, Thomas L. Tzikas, M.D., said at the Combined Otolaryngological Spring Meeting (COSM).

Chicago - A novel nanoparticle formulation of paclitaxel (ABI-007) administered intra-arterially has been shown to be well tolerated and very active against squamous carcinomas of the head and neck, uterus, and anal canal, Bruno Damascelli, M.D., said at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

San Francisco - Ablative laser resurfacing procedures can result in a range of complications, including some that are serious; therefore, careful patient selection and preparation, attention to treatment technique, and close postoperative observation are critical for optimizing safety, Tina S. Alster, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - The expanding indications for the topical immune response modulator imiquimod (Aldara) may soon include treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC), Mark Naylor, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Immunohistochemistry is an important aspect of the diagnosis of cutaneous lymphomas, and its results may also have therapeutic implications, Werner Kempf, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Confirming a diagnosis and individualizing treatment are primary goals in the treatment of patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), as is striving for complete remission, Eric C. Vonderheid, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

A. A pentapeptide is a five amino acid fragment intended to function as a regulator of cellular function. Peptides are the newest antiaging technology presently marketed in Europe and are being brought to the United States in the form of a cooperative agreement between the French company Sederma and the Olay brand of Procter & Gamble.

San Francisco - Injury to motor nerves is a potential disaster confronting dermatologic surgeons performing head and neck procedures, Stuart J. Salasche, M.D. said.

San Francisco - With the emergence of new laser and cutaneous surgical techniques, the need for more effective, fast-acting topical anesthesia that works safely continues to grow, Christopher B. Zachary, F.R.C.P., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Dermatologic surgeons need to consider carefully the effects of wound closure on free margins so they can develop a reconstruction plan that will avoid development of functional and/or cosmetic defects postoperatively, Stuart J. Salasche, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - The addition of a curvilinear incision along one or more limbs of an advancement flap can eliminate standing cutaneous cones and result in favorable cosmetic outcomes. If done properly, this advancement flap modification decreases the number of facial suture lines and does not increase the risk for complications, according to Roberta D. Sengelmann, M.D., who developed the technique.

Chicago - Palifermin, a recombinant form of human keratinocyte growth factor (rhuKGF), has been shown to significantly reduce the duration and incidence of severe oral mucositis, while lessening the use of parenteral opioid analgesics and improving the patient's outcome in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing high-dose chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and total body irradiation (TBI) followed by hematopoietic stem-cell support, Ricardo Spielberger, M.D., said at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Oncology.

Chicago - Results from an ongoing phase II clinical trial point out that electrochemotherapy followed by low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) (Proleukin) produces a clinical response in a subset of patients with disseminated malignant melanoma, Julie Gehl, M.D., said at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

San Francisco - Performing an oral biopsy can be as safe and easy as performing a regular skin biopsy, provided you know the rules, Ginat Mirowski, D.M.D., M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.