Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is a rare spindle cell neoplasm predominantly found on the head and neck of elderly individuals with sun-damaged skin, with no evidence-based guidelines for their management. A systematic retrospective review of the literature focusing on treatment modality found a recurrence and metastasis rate of 8.0% (5.6% when adjusted for incomplete excisions) and 0.5% for local excision and 4.6% and 3.2% for Mohs micrographic surgery, respectively. Our results suggest that with clear surgical margins, AFX is unlikely to recur and metastases are rare, with significantly higher rates in the immunosuppressed population.
Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp has particular relevance in Australia, due to its association with actinic damage. Despite its rarity, the recalcitrant nature of erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp dictates a protracted recovery fraught with relapse and recurrence, posing inherent challenges to successful treatment and complete recovery. In Australia, erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp is prevalent in the elderly, who are negatively affected due to the condition. We propose a management outline to aid clinical practice, to improve the quality of life in the elderly, whilst providing insight into the current understanding and treatment of erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp.
Background
Keratinocyte cancers (KC) are common and pose a significant financial burden globally. Ultraviolet radiation is a significant factor in their development, through mutagenesis promotion but also through local and systemic immunosuppression. Although systemic immunosuppression is well understood, cutaneous immunity has been more difficult to evaluate.
Objectives
This study used a contact sensitizer, diphencyprone (DPCP), which elicits a contact hypersensitivity reaction in skin, to compare the degree of reactivity to DPCP in patients with a high KC burden versus those with a low KC burden.
Methods
A prospective study was performed in immunocompetent patients aged 70 ± 5 years of age, comparing patients with a high KC burden (>10 previous KC) with those with a low KC burden (<2 previous KC). All patients were sensitized with 2% DPCP and then patch tested two weeks later with eight different concentrations of DPCP with the threshold concentration and total degree of reaction recorded.
Results
Nine patients were recruited, 5 in the ‘high cancer’ group and 4 in the ‘low cancer’ group. All patients were Fitzpatrick skin type 1 or 2. All patients developed a reaction to DPCP. Patients in the low cancer group developed a reaction at a significantly lower threshold DPCP concentration than the high cancer group (P = 0.039). The cumulative intensity of reaction was higher in the low cancer group (P = 0.087).
Conclusion
Patients with a high KC burden required a higher threshold concentration of DPCP to elicit a hypersensitivity reaction, supporting the concept of a lower skin immunity in these patients. DPCP reactivity threshold could be a useful tool in the evaluation of skin immunity and propensity to develop keratinocyte cancers.
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