Tag Archives: melanoma

Yervoy for Melanoma Treatment Reviewed by Leading Dermatologists

Posted on April 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

Yervoy (ipilumamab), a new medication for the treatment of melanoma, is reviewed by leading dermatologists Dr. Ramzi Saad and Dr. Richard Eisen.

“The breakthrough cancer medication from Bristol-Myers Squibb is Yervoy and it is specifically for patients with late-stage or metastatic melanoma. This is an exciting new weapon in the fight against skin cancer. We have two drugs out there that are used in the treatment of stage 3 and stage 4 melanoma – Interferon (which was approved a decade ago) and Dacarbazine. Yervoy is the first medication shown to prolong survival,” explained Dr. Saad.

Dr. Saad added that “ Yervoy is going to be a promising option for many. It prolongs life by six and a half months or more. The big issue is the significant side effect profile. But, Yervoy will undergo further rigorous testing to define it’s optimal use on melanoma patients.”

“Skin cancer is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun or from tanning booths. UVA and UVB rays are present in tanning booths as well as on cloudy days and exposed skin is left vulnerable without sunblock or sunscreen. We’re all exposed to these rays every day, each time we go outdoors and the repeated exposure builds over time,” noted Dr. Richard Eisen, M.D.

According to South Shore Skin Center’s dermatologists, early skin cancer detection is imperative in the prevention and treatment of melanoma. If undetected and untreated, melanoma can quickly spread to the major organs and lymph nodes.

The dermatologists emphasize the need to follow key steps to prevent skin cancer including avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, wearing protective clothing, and  applying sunscreen or sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher every day even if it is cloudy.

They add that a person’s skin should be checked regularly by a dermatologist regularly, and any moles or other spots on the skin that have changed should be checked by physician as soon as possible.

Both Dr. Saad and Dr. Eisen practice provide medical care to patients at South Shore Skin Center in Cohasset, Massachusetts.

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Posted in Melanoma, Skin Cancer Medications

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Melanoma Risk May be Reduced by Daily Sunscreen Use.

Posted on December 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

Regular use of sunscreen during a clinical trial of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas was found to reduce the incidence of another type of skin cancer, melanoma, up to 10 years later, according to a new study published December 6, 2010 in an online edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The study showed that applying sunscreen every day to the head, neck, arms and hands reduced the chances of getting melanoma by half.

The study of 1,600 white adults randomized the participants into two groups 1) those that applied sunscreen every day and 2) those that applied sunscreen at their own discretion (prn).

During the 10-year follow-up period the researchers found that 11 people who used sunscreen daily were diagnosed with melanoma, compared to 22 people in the “discretionary use” group.

In addition, those that developed melanoma in the daily use” group were less likely to develop invasive melanoma, which is more difficult to effectively treat, than those in the “discretionary group”.

In a new story by Top News that covered the study, “Melanoma Risk ‘Lessens’ by Using Sunscreen“, Dr. Howard Kaufman, the Director of the Rush University Cancer Center in Chicago and a melanoma expert pointed out that “We have known for a long time that sunscreen prevents squamous and basal cell carcinomas but the data on melanoma has been a little bit confusing”.

This study strengthens the evidence showing that excessive UV exposure from the sun can increase the risk of developing melanoma, and that protecting oneself from those damaging UV rays can help to reduce that risk.

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Posted in Melanoma

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Skin Cancer Treatment with Mohs Paste (Zinc Chloride) Remains of Benefit

Posted on December 2, 2010 | Leave a comment

Zinc chloride paste, a skin cancer treatment in use for nearly 200 years, may still be of value in the treatment of melanoma according to dermatologist Dr. Norman Brooks. Dr. Norman Brooks presented his clinical opinion at the 2010 meeting the American Society for Mohs Surgery (ASMS) which was reported in a story published in Internal Medicine News, “Mohs Paste Should Not Be Discounted for Treating Melanoma“.

The current paste, often referred to as “Mohs paste” was formulated by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs who also developed the Mohs Surgery technique for treating skin cancer. Mohs paste is a compound comprised of several naturally occurring ingredients: the mineral stibnite (the inert paste-like vehicle), powdered root of the bloodroot plant (that causes cell death or ‘apoptosis’ in several types of cancer cells) and a saturated zinc chloride solution that destructively penetrates skin tissue.

Zinc chloride paste appears to kill cancerous cells and stimulate a strong immune reaction that decreases the likelihood of metastasis and recurrence. “I believe chemosurgery with zinc chloride paste, followed by wide excision, is a better way to remove a melanoma than fresh tissue surgery,” said Dr. Brooks. “That’s why I believe it’s so important to use zinc chloride when treating melanoma.”

Ken Gross, M.D. a San Diego dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon who served as Course Directory of the ASMS meeting, added that “Mohs paste is a tried and true compound that does what it’s purported to do.”

Dr. Ken Gross further explained that Mohs paste has fallen out of use over the years as fresh-tissue surgery (Mohs) has gained popularity. “Fresh-tissue replaced it because it allows immediate closure, while the paste causes a lot of inflammation and, the way Dr. Mohs did it, it left a wound that healed by secondary intention. It heals well but people won’t stand for that these days.”

Aside from some slight discomfort and the inflammatory reaction, however, there are few down sides to using the paste, added Dr. Gross.

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Posted in Mohs Surgery

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Melanoma Treatment with Immunotherapy Shows Potential

Posted on June 1, 2010 | 3 Comments

The American Society of Clinical Oncology will hold its annual meeting in Chicago this week where it will announce results of several studies investigating the use of immunotherapies for the treatment of melanoma.

Many of the immunotherapies used in the treatment of cancer are antibodies generated in a laboratory. These “monoclonal antibodies” bind to select portions of the immune system to alter the way the immune system responds to cancer cells.

Ipilimumab is one immunotherapy developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) that has gained significant attention. Ipilimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that is undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of melanoma. Results from three small trials found that ipilimumab extended the life of stage IV melanoma patients.

(Tremelimumab another  monoclonal antibody produced by Pfizer was being investigated for the treatment of advanced melanoma, but a phase III trial was stopped in 2008 when interim data showed that results were not superior to standard chemotherapy)

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Posted in Melanoma, Skin Cancer Medications

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Melanoma Risk From Indoor Tanning – Association Stronger Than Ever

Posted on May 28, 2010 | 2 Comments

Indoor tanning users are 74% more likely to develop melanoma than others, according to a study of 2,000+ participants reported in the June issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. This study makes the strongest link yet between indoor tanning and melanoma.

Melanoma afflicts nearly 69,000 Americans a year and is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Researchers began with more than 2,000 individuals, one-half of whom had documented cases of melanoma. The participants were asked their tanning habits, including outdoor sun exposure and use of indoor tanning equipment.

The researchers found that there was an increased risk of developing skin cancer from the use of tanning beds, but not from lifetime exposure to outdoor sunlight, whether through jobs or leisure activities.

The results show such a strong link between exposure to artificial ultraviolet light and melanoma that it could influence the pending FDA decision on whether to tighten regulation of tanning salons. A ban on indoor tanning for teenagers is even possible.

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Posted in Indoor Tanning

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Melanoma Monday to Promote Skin Cancer Detection

Posted on April 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

The first Monday in May has been designated by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) as Melanoma Monday to encourage people to perform skin self exams on themselves and their loved ones.

Jeffrey Ellis, M.D., Dermatologist

Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, Dermatologist & Mohs Surgeon

In support of Melanoma Monday, dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Jeffrey Ellis, M.D., FAAD  in private practice at Belaray Dermatology in Plainview, New York, offers his patients online access to skin-self exam tools, including an animation that provides his patients with step-by-step instructions on how to evaluate their skin.

More than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and more than 90% of them are related to excessive exposure to UV radiation, usually from the sun. Dermatologists recommend that people perform a skin self-exam once per month as an easy way to detect pre-cancerous lesions, such as actinic keratosis and suspicious moles could be melanoma.

Melanoma Monday is the start of Skin Cancer Awareness Month with that includes a number of national and regional programs to promote skin cancer prevention and early detection. People are encouraged to examine their skin for skin cancer.

Since 1985, the American Academy of Dermatology program has sponsored more than  2 million free skin cancer screenings from dermatologists. These free screenings have detected more than 188,000 suspicious lesions, including more than 21,500 suspected melanomas, the most aggressive form of skin cancer.

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Posted in Skin Cancer Prevention

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Melanoma Recurrence 9 Times More Likely in Those Previously Diagnosed

Posted on April 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

A research study published in the March issue of the Archives of Dermatology found that individuals previously diagnosed with melanoma , an aggressive form of skin cancer, have a nine-fold (9 times) greater chance for developing another melanoma compared to the general population.

The study evaluated the medical records of over 89,000 patients with primary malignant melanoma and found that 10,857 (12.1%) of them developed one or more primary cancers, with melanoma being the most common type of cancer to develop. The risk of developing another melanoma remained high, evern after 20 years since the initial skin cancer diagnoses.

The authors stated that melanoma survivors should remain under surveillance not only for recurrence but also for future primary melanomas and other cancers. This points to the importance of regular skin exams by a dermatologist and monthly skin self-exams.

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Posted in Skin Cancer Prevention

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