CME Activities
- Targeted Therapy for the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma: Implications for Patients and Healthcare Practitioners
- FDA Approvals: Vismodegib for Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Preadolescents Desire More Tanning but Use Less Sunscreen
- Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors: An Emerging Strategy for Cancer Therapy
- Targeting the Compromised Facial Skin Barrier in Rosacea: An Expert Interview With Richard L. Gallo, MD, PhD
Latest Clinical Briefs in Skin Cancer
About Skin Cancer
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Nonmelanoma skin cancer primarily comprises basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Other, rarer types of nonmelanoma skin cancer include dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Merkel cell carcinoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Rates of skin cancer have been described as epidemic, with the incidence of all skin cancers rising at 4% to 5% each year. The treatment for most skin cancers involves the complete surgical removal of the lesion, ensuring that the margins are free of tumor cells. Mohs micrographic surgery has the highest 5-year cure rates and is recommended for high-risk tumors. Other treatment options include curettage and electrodessication, excision and postoperative margin assessment, radiation therapy, and superficial therapies. Studies are currently examining the effectiveness of various nonmelanoma skin cancer treatment options, including targeted therapies, for recurrent and metastatic disease. Healthcare practitioners are challenged to remain up to date on the latest clinical data.