Advanced Skin Cancer

Advanced skin cancer is one that has already metastasized beyond its primary origin, or one that has invaded underlying tissues such that surgical resection either is technically impossible or would lead to an unacceptable functional or cosmetic outcome. These skin cancers present a complex problem that requires the input of multiple specialties to delineate the best management plan. National guidelines utilize the best available data to guide management decisions. However, there is considerable leeway within the guidelines, enabling the ultimate care decision to be molded to best fit each individual patient. This book aims to provide instructional examples of patient cases where the input of the multidisciplinary team is critical in providing the most suitable care plan for the patient. CONTENTS: Melanoma * Squamous Cell Carcinoma * Basal Cell Carcinoma * Cutaneous Lymphoma * Kaposi’s Sarcoma * Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans * Merkel Cell Carcinoma * Rare Cancer Presentations

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, yet most cases are preventable. Every year in the United States, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer, at an estimated cost of $8.1 billion. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, causes nearly 9,000 deaths each year. Despite recent efforts to address risk factors, skin cancer rates continue to rise. While those with lighter skin are more susceptible, anyone can get skin cancer—and it can be serious, even deadly. Almost all of the conditions can be caused by unnecessary ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, usually from excessive time in the sun or from the use of indoor tanning devices. It is alarming that every year, nearly one out of every three young white women aged 16–25 engages in indoor tanning. It's important to shatter the myth that tanned skin is a sign of health. And a “base” tan is not a “safe” tan. Tanned skin is damaged skin. Understanding the risk of UV exposure is crucial to protecting ourselves and our loved ones. That is why “The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer” is important for all of us. It outlines action steps we can all take—as individuals, parents, educators, employers, policy makers, health care professionals, and communities—to reverse this alarming trend. As a nation, we can all do more to address skin cancer as a serious public health challenge. Everyone is urged to find out more about the risk of skin cancer—and what we all can do to prevent it.

The rise in popularity of dermoscopy has meant that more and more practitioners need a ready reference to consult in a clinical setting where larger atlases are less practical. The Handbook of Dermoscopy features a wealth of photographs, checklists, and algorithms to assist in spot diagnoses. Coverage includes melanocytic lesions, seborrheic kerato

This book addresses the most relevant aspects of radiation oncology in terms of technical integrity, dose parameters, machine and software specifications, as well as regulatory requirements. Radiation oncology is a unique field that combines physics and biology. As a result, it has not only a clinical aspect, but also a physics aspect and biology aspect, all three of which are inter-related and critical to optimal radiation treatment planning. In addition, radiation oncology involves a host of machines/software. One needs to have a firm command of these machines and their specifications to deliver comprehensive treatment. However, this information is not readily available, which poses serious challenges for students learning the planning aspect of radiation therapy. In response, this book compiles these relevant aspects in a single source. Radiation oncology is a dynamic field, and is continuously evolving. However, tracking down the latest findings is both difficult and time-consuming. Consequently, the book also comprehensively covers the most important trials. Offering an essential ready reference work, it represents a value asset for all radiation oncology practitioners, trainees and students.

The skin, uniquely positioned at the interface between the human body and the external world, plays a multifaceted role in the expression of cancer. Primary skin cancer is the most common cancer afflicting mankind and is rising in inci dence, despite the fact that it is often preventable. Besides primary cancer, the skin may show direct and indirect evidence of internal cancer, thus serving as a window to the body for both laymen and physicians alike. In addition, the acces sibility of the skin is useful for the study of carcinogenesis as well as cancer treat ment options. lowe much of my interest in skin cancer to Dr. Leon Goldman, the father of dermatologic laser surgery, and to Dr. Edmund Klein, the father of modern immunotherapy. We, at the Roswell Park Memorial Institute, were indeed for tunate to have a wealth of patients available for study. Many of the illustrations used in this book were of my patients at the Institute, and I kindly thank the fol lowing publications and their respective publishers for allowing me to reuse some of my photographs, most notably: Cancer Medicine (2nd edition), Journal of Surgical Oncology, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Archives of Dermatology, Cancer, and Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology. We are very fortunate in this work to have some of the world's foremost authorities in their areas as contributors, such as Drs. Zackheim, Lambert, J.W. Trimble, J.R. Trimble, Jackson, Crutcher, Mashberg, Wick, Sidell, F. Helm, G.