Skin Cancer: Basic Science, Clinical Research and Treatment

In the past two decades, considerable interest in skin cancer has developed in the public and scientific communities. There may have been several reasons for this: - The rise in the global incidence of cutaneous cancers - New molecular biology techniques resulting in a better understanding of pathogenesis and improved diagnostic procedures - The advent of new pathological entities, e. g. , the endemic form of Kaposi's sarcoma - A constantly increasing range of therapeutic modalities, providing even more efficacious treatment and manage ment of skin cancers As N. E. Fusenig describes in the first chapter of this volume, basic research is only beginning to unravel the complex mechanism involved in cellular dedifferentiation and tumor progression. Progress is dearly needed, especially in dermato oncology, where the rise in the incidence of epithelial tumors has inflated the overall skin cancer incidence. The incidence of tumors of the skin exceeds that of all other neoplasias in humans, with recreational sun exposure being a suspected primary cause. Several studies on the effects of UV radiation have been included at the beginning of this volume. Even the role of long wavelength UV (UVA) has become a focus of research activities. The main concern is that the low carcinogenicity of UVA, in comparison to UVB, may be outweighed and exceeded in its effects by increased UV A exposure, e. g.

Klappentext

This volume gives a comprehensive account of current skin cancer research. The fields of general tumour biology, photocarcinogenesis, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer are covered by selected authors. The book includes the following topics: insight into the differentiation of malignant cells; the role of UV-light, from the molecular to the genetic level; clues to the origin of Kaposi's sarcoma; new laboratory techniques allowing improved typing, prognostic accuracy and more rational treatment of diverse skin malignancies; and refined and new therapeutic regimens for malignant melanoma, including immunochemotherapy, and autologous tumor vaccination. New treatments for Kaposi's sarcoma are introduced as well as the state of the art and reevaluation of chemotherapy and surgery for skin cancers.

Inhalt
I. Carcinogenesis.- Differentiation and Tumor Progression.- Action Spectrum for Photocarcinogenesis.- Processing of Directly and Indirectly Ultraviolet-Induced DNA Damage in Human Cells.- Photodynamic Action of Ultraviolet A: Induction of Cellular Hydroperoxides.- Analysis of N-ras Mutations in Human Cutaneous Melanoma: Tumor Heterogeneity Detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction/Single-Stranded Conformation Polymorphism Analysis.- Skin Cancer and Warts in Immunosuppressed Renal Transplant Recipients.- Risk of Developing Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma in Atypical-Mole Syndrome: New York University Experience and Literature Review.- II. Malignant Melanoma.- Properties of Metastasizing and Nonmetastasizing Human Melanoma Cells.- Protein Patterns of Benign and Malignant Human Melanocytes Show Consistent Changes in Gene Expression.- Mutation and Expression of TP53 in Malignant Melanomas.- Production of Cytokines by Human Melanoma Cells and Melanocytes.- Growth Control of Melanoma Cells and Melanocytes by Cytokines.- Effects of Various Synthetic Retinoids on Proliferation and Immunophenotype of Human Melanoma Cells In Vitro.- Prognostic Significance of DNA Cytometry in Comparison with Histologic Measurements in Malignant Melanomas.- Lymphocyte-Melanoma Interaction: Role of Surface Molecules.- Melanoma Control in the United States: Current Status.- III. Cutaneous Lymphoma.- New Perspectives in Experimental and Clinical Research for Cutaneous T Cell Lymphomas.- Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction in the Detection of Clones in Lymphoproliferative Diseases of the Skin.- bcl-1, bcl-2, p53, c-myc, and lyt-10 Analysis in Cutaneous Lymphomas.- IV. Other Skin Cancers.- Trends in Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in Japan.- Kaposi's Sarcoma: A Reevaluation.- Human Leukocyte Antigens and MultipleBasal Cell Carcinomas.- Immunohistochemistry of Eccrine Poroma and Porocarcinoma More Than Acrosyringeal Tumors?.- V. Treatment and Management.- Excision of Primary Melanoma Should Allow Primary Closure of the Wound.- Role of Elective Lymph Node Dissection in Stage I Malignant Melanoma: Evaluation by Matched Pair Analysis.- Clinical Activity of a Polyvalent Melanoma Antigen Vaccine.- Perspectives of Cytokine Treatment in Malignant Skin Tumors.- Biochemical Modulation of Cytotoxic Drugs by Cytokines: Molecular Mechanisms in Experimental Oncology.- Interleukin-2-Based Immunotherapy and Chemoimmunotherapy in Metastatic Melanoma.- Combination Therapy of Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma with Interferon Alpha-2a and Photochemotherapy.- Systemic Treatment for Cutaneous Lymphomas.- Extracorporeal Photopheresis A New Approach for the Treatment of Cutaneous T Cell Lymphomas.- Laser Therapy of Skin Tumors.- Management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Malignancies.