Background:Keratinocyte carcinoma(KC)is a common malignancy characterized by a high recurrence rate and considerable psychological distress.The incidence of KC is increasing in China,raising concerns about its psychol...Background:Keratinocyte carcinoma(KC)is a common malignancy characterized by a high recurrence rate and considerable psychological distress.The incidence of KC is increasing in China,raising concerns about its psychological consequences and adverse effects on quality of life.Demographic and clinical factors are thought to influence mental health outcomes in these patients.Nonetheless,data on the prevalence of anxiety in Chinese patients with KC and the factors associated with this anxiety are notably lacking.Therefore,a comprehensive investigation into the anxiety of patients with KC is imperative.Objective:This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety in patients with KC,a disease that can significantly affect a patient’s appearance and overall quality of life.Understanding the level of anxiety in this population is critical to developing targeted interventions,improving treatment outcomes,supporting mental health,and improving patient care practices.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at China’s largest dermatology hospital from November 2017 to September 2022.A consecutive sampling method was used to recruit participants.Anxiety status was surveyed by the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS).Explanatory variables were surveyed by demographic data questionnaires.Non-parametric test and Chi-square test analyses were used to compare the differences between groups.Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with anxiety.Results:A total of 192 patients with KC were included.The median score of SAS was 35(IQR 16.25).The prevalence of anxiety in patients with KC was 20.8%.Females(p=0.008),under 60 years old(p=0.011),living in rural(p=0.010)or urban areas(p=0.029),having fewer than three children(p=0.016),with a history of skin diseases(p<0.001),with a history of long-term oral medication(p=0.001),and experiencing pain or itching(p=0.001)had SAS scores that were significantly higher than their counterparts.Conclusion:This study showed that the prevalence of anxiety was very high among Chinese patients with KC,especially among women,young patients,rural residents,patients with fewer than three children,and individuals with a history of skin disease,long-term oral medications,or symptoms of pain or itching.Targeted psychological interventions for these specific populations should be implemented to effectively alleviate anxiety and improve quality of life in these at-risk groups.展开更多
OBJECTIVE： Preventive measures against skin melanoma like chemotherapy are useful but suffer from chronic side effects and drug resistance. Ethanolic extract of Phytolacca decandra （PD）, used in homeopathy for the ...OBJECTIVE： Preventive measures against skin melanoma like chemotherapy are useful but suffer from chronic side effects and drug resistance. Ethanolic extract of Phytolacca decandra （PD）, used in homeopathy for the treatment of various ailments like chronic rheumatism, regular conjunctivitis, psoriasis, and in some skin diseases was tested for its possible anticancer potential. METHODS： Cytotoxicity of the drug was tested by conducting 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay on both normal （peripheral blood mononuclear cells） and A375 cells. Fluorescence microscopic study of 4＇,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride-stained cells was conducted for DNA fragmentation assay, and changes in cellular morphology, if any, were also recorded. Lactate dehydrogenase activity assay was done to evaluate the percentages of apoptosis and necrosis. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） accumulation, if any, and expression study of apoptotic genes also were evaluated to pin-point the actual events of apoptosis. RESULTS： Results showed that PD administration caused a remarkable reduction in proliferation of A375 cells, without showing much cytotoxicity on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Generation of ROS and DNA damage, which made the cancer cells prone to apoptosis, were found to be enhanced in PD-treated cells. These results were duly supported by the analytical data on expression of different cellular and nuclear proteins, as for example, by down- regulation of Akt and Bcl-2, up-regulation of p53, Bax and caspase 3, and an increase in number of cell deaths by apoptosis in A375 cells. CONCLUSION： Overall results demonstrate anticancer potentials of PD on A375 cells through activation of caspase-mediated signaling and ROS generation.展开更多
Nicotinamide (NA), a naturally occuring vitamin and a protease inhibitor, has been shown to be effective in treating some skin ailments. It inhibits cell proiferaion and induces cell differentiation. This report shows...Nicotinamide (NA), a naturally occuring vitamin and a protease inhibitor, has been shown to be effective in treating some skin ailments. It inhibits cell proiferaion and induces cell differentiation. This report shows the effects of NA on mouse skin tumor development and on the critical events involved in this process. NA reduced tumor growth, inhibited the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced ornithine decarboxylase activity, but induced the transglutaminare activity which was inhibited by TPA under different experimental conditions.The effects of NA on ornithine decarboxylare (ODC) and transglutaminase (TG) indicated that nicotinamide (NA) probably programmmed the cells for their death in the natural course of time, i.e. programed cell death. This observation indicates that NA might be a better agent for the detailed study and for the better use in prevention of cancer alone or in combination with other drugs.展开更多
Neoplastic needle track seeding following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(RFA)of secondary liver tumors is exceedingly rare.Reports on cutaneous tumor seeding after percutaneous RFA for colorectal liver metastasi...Neoplastic needle track seeding following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(RFA)of secondary liver tumors is exceedingly rare.Reports on cutaneous tumor seeding after percutaneous RFA for colorectal liver metastasis are even rarer in the literature.Here we report a case of a 46-year-old female who developed an ulcerating skin lesion along the needle track of a previous percutaneous RFA site around 6 mo after the procedure.The previous RFA was performed by the LeVeen needle for a secondary liver tumor from a primary rectal cancer.The diagnosis of secondary skin metastasis was confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology.The lesion was successfully treated with wide local excision.We believe that tumor seeding after percutaneous RFA in our patient was possibly related to its unfavorable subcapsular location and the use of an expansion-type needle.Hence,prophylactic ablation of the needle track should be performed whenever possible.Otherwise,alternative routes of tumor ablation such as laparoscopic or open RFA should be considered.展开更多
Neurofibromatosis is a dominantly inheriteddefect of the ectoderm,characterized by cafe au laitspots since the childhood and multiple tumorsderived from elements of peripheral and cranialnerves.Hernia-like tumors of v...Neurofibromatosis is a dominantly inheriteddefect of the ectoderm,characterized by cafe au laitspots since the childhood and multiple tumorsderived from elements of peripheral and cranialnerves.Hernia-like tumors of various sizes can oftenbe felt under the skin and serve as a valuablecharacteristic in making diagnosis.However,theycan also affect brain,vegetative nerve system or othertissues and lead to bony abnormalities,mentaldisturbances and sometimes,endocrine abnormalities,展开更多
OBJECTIVE： Chemopreventive approach with natural products, particularly plants and plant-derived ones, is receiving increasing attention for their effective role against cancer without any palpable side effects. In t...OBJECTIVE： Chemopreventive approach with natural products, particularly plants and plant-derived ones, is receiving increasing attention for their effective role against cancer without any palpable side effects. In this study, efficacy of ethanolic extract of Ruta graveolens （RG） on skin melanoma cells （A375） in vitro and on 7,12-dimethylbenz（a）anthracene （DMBA）-induced skin cancer in vivo has been tested in Swiss albino mice. METHODS： Studies on cell viability, apoptosis and autophagy induction were conducted in vitro. To check apoptosis, assays like alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential, annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assay and immunoblot were performed. Fluorescence microscopic and immunoblot assays were performed to confirm autophagy induction. The effects of RG were determined by evaluating body weight, tumor incidence, tumor volume and tumor burden in mice. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status was assessed. The role of some relevant signaling proteins was also analyzed. RESULTS： RG caused death ofA375 cells through induction of caspase 3-mediated apoptosis and Beclin-l-associated autophagy. Moreover, RG administration （75 mg/kg body weight） which showed no acute or chronic toxicity, showed significant reduction in the skin tumor burden of DMBA-painted mice. RG also demonstrated potent anti-lipid peroxidative and antioxidant functions during the course of skin cancer induction by DMBA. CONCLUSION： Chemopreventive potential of RG was demonstrated from overall results of this study indicating its possible use in therapeutic formulation of an effective drug to treat skin cancer.展开更多
The management of non-melanoma skin cancers metastatic to the neck is challenging due to variability in biological behavior and patterns of regional lymphatic spread.Metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers to the parotid...The management of non-melanoma skin cancers metastatic to the neck is challenging due to variability in biological behavior and patterns of regional lymphatic spread.Metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers to the parotid and neck often behave aggressively,with a high incidence of local recurrence after treatment and reduced five-year survival outcomes.Patterns of lymphatic spread are different from those seen in mucosal squamous cell carcinoma,with higher prevalence of disease in the parotid and superficial lymphatics.These factors require that treatment is individualized to achieve optimal outcomes.Traditionally,the management of non-melanoma skin cancers metastatic to lymph nodes has involved surgical excision followed by adjuvant radiation therapy.However,novel systemic therapies are showing promising results and their role in the management of these cancers is evolving.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To examine 10 cases with primary cutaneous CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), analyze their clinical manifestations and pathological and immunohistochemical features, and improve early dia...OBJECTIVE: To examine 10 cases with primary cutaneous CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), analyze their clinical manifestations and pathological and immunohistochemical features, and improve early diagnosis of this disease. METHODS: We studied the morphological characteristics of primary cutaneous CD30-positive ALCL using histopathological methods. Leukocyte common antigen (LCA), CD20, CD30, CD45RO, CD68, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratin (CK) and HMB45 antibodies were used to determine the expression of their respective antigens from routine paraffin samples of the patients. RESULTS: Ten patients (7 men and 3 women, aged 31 to 84 years) complained of subcutaneous masses or papular eruptions over their lower trunks and extremities. Histopathologically, the lesions were composed of numerous large round or oval pleomorphic cells. The cytoplasm was usually abundant, amphophilic or basophilic, and finely vacuolated. Nuclei were commonly eccentrically localized and lobated or horseshoed in shape, and multinucleated giant cells and Reed-Sternberg-like cells were seen. Nucleoli were generally multiple and large. Of the 10 patients, tumor cells displayed positive antigen expression of CD30 in all cases, positive CD45RO in 6 cases, positive CD20 in only 1 case, but negative CD45RO and CD20 expressions in 3 cases. Two patients died at 7 weeks and 3.4 years of follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the importance of histopathologic features and positive CD30 staining for differentiation of this disease from other malignant skin tumors.展开更多
Objective:Well-defined germ-line mutations in thePTCH1 gene are associated with syndromic multiple basal cell carcinomas(BCCs).Here,we used whole exome sequencing(WES)to identify the role of patched-1 in patients with...Objective:Well-defined germ-line mutations in thePTCH1 gene are associated with syndromic multiple basal cell carcinomas(BCCs).Here,we used whole exome sequencing(WES)to identify the role of patched-1 in patients with multiple,unusually large BCCs.Methods:A 72-year old patient presenting with numerous BCCs progressing to large ulcerating lesions was enrolled.WES was used to identify the pathogenic gene locus.Results:Genetic work-up by WES identified a homozygousPTCH1 nonsense mutation in the tumor tissue but not present in her blood cells or in non-lesional skin.In addition,heterozygous missense mutations were identified in three cancer-associated genes(EPHB2,RET,andGALNT12)in blood cells as well as in lesional and non-lesional skin.We also tested systemic immune therapy as a potentially beneficial approach to treat patients with numerous large BCCs on scatted areas of involvement.A rapid and sustained response to nivolumab was noted,suggesting that it is an efficacious drug for long-term therapeutic outcome.Conclusion:PTCH1,EPHB2,RET,andGALNT12 may potentially contribute to the synergistic oncogene driven malignant transformation manifesting as multiple,unusually large BCCs.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Q-switched alexandrite laser irradiation on dermal melanocytes of nevus of Ota. METHODS: Multiple biopsies were carried out on 4 patients with nevus of Ota before and after lase...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Q-switched alexandrite laser irradiation on dermal melanocytes of nevus of Ota. METHODS: Multiple biopsies were carried out on 4 patients with nevus of Ota before and after laser irradiation. Altogether 11 samples were examined under light microscope and 14 under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Immediately after laser irradiation, the dermal melanocytes were destroyed, the melanosomes were degenerated with central vesicle formation within most of them, and intradermal round vacuoles appeared. The epidermis remained intact. Three months to 1 year after irradiation, the degenerated melanosomes and cell debris were scavenged mainly by macrophages. Dermal melanocytes gradually decreased. No fibrosis was found. CONCLUSION: Q-switched alexandrite laser can selectively destroy dermal melanocytes of nevus of Ota and treat the disease safely.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFC3601800)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,Grant/Award Number:BK20211026+1 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,Grant/Award Number:BK20231115Nursing Research Fund,Hospital for Skin Diseases and Institute of Dermatology,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences&Peking Union Medical College,Grant/Award Number:PYSHL2022001.
文摘Background:Keratinocyte carcinoma(KC)is a common malignancy characterized by a high recurrence rate and considerable psychological distress.The incidence of KC is increasing in China,raising concerns about its psychological consequences and adverse effects on quality of life.Demographic and clinical factors are thought to influence mental health outcomes in these patients.Nonetheless,data on the prevalence of anxiety in Chinese patients with KC and the factors associated with this anxiety are notably lacking.Therefore,a comprehensive investigation into the anxiety of patients with KC is imperative.Objective:This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety in patients with KC,a disease that can significantly affect a patient’s appearance and overall quality of life.Understanding the level of anxiety in this population is critical to developing targeted interventions,improving treatment outcomes,supporting mental health,and improving patient care practices.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at China’s largest dermatology hospital from November 2017 to September 2022.A consecutive sampling method was used to recruit participants.Anxiety status was surveyed by the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS).Explanatory variables were surveyed by demographic data questionnaires.Non-parametric test and Chi-square test analyses were used to compare the differences between groups.Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with anxiety.Results:A total of 192 patients with KC were included.The median score of SAS was 35(IQR 16.25).The prevalence of anxiety in patients with KC was 20.8%.Females(p=0.008),under 60 years old(p=0.011),living in rural(p=0.010)or urban areas(p=0.029),having fewer than three children(p=0.016),with a history of skin diseases(p<0.001),with a history of long-term oral medication(p=0.001),and experiencing pain or itching(p=0.001)had SAS scores that were significantly higher than their counterparts.Conclusion:This study showed that the prevalence of anxiety was very high among Chinese patients with KC,especially among women,young patients,rural residents,patients with fewer than three children,and individuals with a history of skin disease,long-term oral medications,or symptoms of pain or itching.Targeted psychological interventions for these specific populations should be implemented to effectively alleviate anxiety and improve quality of life in these at-risk groups.
基金financially supported by a grant sanctioned to Prof. A.R. Khuda-Bukhsh, Department of Zoology,University of Kalyani, by Boiron Laboratories, Lyon, France
文摘OBJECTIVE： Preventive measures against skin melanoma like chemotherapy are useful but suffer from chronic side effects and drug resistance. Ethanolic extract of Phytolacca decandra （PD）, used in homeopathy for the treatment of various ailments like chronic rheumatism, regular conjunctivitis, psoriasis, and in some skin diseases was tested for its possible anticancer potential. METHODS： Cytotoxicity of the drug was tested by conducting 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay on both normal （peripheral blood mononuclear cells） and A375 cells. Fluorescence microscopic study of 4＇,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride-stained cells was conducted for DNA fragmentation assay, and changes in cellular morphology, if any, were also recorded. Lactate dehydrogenase activity assay was done to evaluate the percentages of apoptosis and necrosis. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） accumulation, if any, and expression study of apoptotic genes also were evaluated to pin-point the actual events of apoptosis. RESULTS： Results showed that PD administration caused a remarkable reduction in proliferation of A375 cells, without showing much cytotoxicity on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Generation of ROS and DNA damage, which made the cancer cells prone to apoptosis, were found to be enhanced in PD-treated cells. These results were duly supported by the analytical data on expression of different cellular and nuclear proteins, as for example, by down- regulation of Akt and Bcl-2, up-regulation of p53, Bax and caspase 3, and an increase in number of cell deaths by apoptosis in A375 cells. CONCLUSION： Overall results demonstrate anticancer potentials of PD on A375 cells through activation of caspase-mediated signaling and ROS generation.
文摘Nicotinamide (NA), a naturally occuring vitamin and a protease inhibitor, has been shown to be effective in treating some skin ailments. It inhibits cell proiferaion and induces cell differentiation. This report shows the effects of NA on mouse skin tumor development and on the critical events involved in this process. NA reduced tumor growth, inhibited the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced ornithine decarboxylase activity, but induced the transglutaminare activity which was inhibited by TPA under different experimental conditions.The effects of NA on ornithine decarboxylare (ODC) and transglutaminase (TG) indicated that nicotinamide (NA) probably programmmed the cells for their death in the natural course of time, i.e. programed cell death. This observation indicates that NA might be a better agent for the detailed study and for the better use in prevention of cancer alone or in combination with other drugs.
文摘Neoplastic needle track seeding following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(RFA)of secondary liver tumors is exceedingly rare.Reports on cutaneous tumor seeding after percutaneous RFA for colorectal liver metastasis are even rarer in the literature.Here we report a case of a 46-year-old female who developed an ulcerating skin lesion along the needle track of a previous percutaneous RFA site around 6 mo after the procedure.The previous RFA was performed by the LeVeen needle for a secondary liver tumor from a primary rectal cancer.The diagnosis of secondary skin metastasis was confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology.The lesion was successfully treated with wide local excision.We believe that tumor seeding after percutaneous RFA in our patient was possibly related to its unfavorable subcapsular location and the use of an expansion-type needle.Hence,prophylactic ablation of the needle track should be performed whenever possible.Otherwise,alternative routes of tumor ablation such as laparoscopic or open RFA should be considered.
文摘Neurofibromatosis is a dominantly inheriteddefect of the ectoderm,characterized by cafe au laitspots since the childhood and multiple tumorsderived from elements of peripheral and cranialnerves.Hernia-like tumors of various sizes can oftenbe felt under the skin and serve as a valuablecharacteristic in making diagnosis.However,theycan also affect brain,vegetative nerve system or othertissues and lead to bony abnormalities,mentaldisturbances and sometimes,endocrine abnormalities,
基金Boiron Laboratories, Lyon, France for financially (partial) supporting the work
文摘OBJECTIVE： Chemopreventive approach with natural products, particularly plants and plant-derived ones, is receiving increasing attention for their effective role against cancer without any palpable side effects. In this study, efficacy of ethanolic extract of Ruta graveolens （RG） on skin melanoma cells （A375） in vitro and on 7,12-dimethylbenz（a）anthracene （DMBA）-induced skin cancer in vivo has been tested in Swiss albino mice. METHODS： Studies on cell viability, apoptosis and autophagy induction were conducted in vitro. To check apoptosis, assays like alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential, annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assay and immunoblot were performed. Fluorescence microscopic and immunoblot assays were performed to confirm autophagy induction. The effects of RG were determined by evaluating body weight, tumor incidence, tumor volume and tumor burden in mice. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status was assessed. The role of some relevant signaling proteins was also analyzed. RESULTS： RG caused death ofA375 cells through induction of caspase 3-mediated apoptosis and Beclin-l-associated autophagy. Moreover, RG administration （75 mg/kg body weight） which showed no acute or chronic toxicity, showed significant reduction in the skin tumor burden of DMBA-painted mice. RG also demonstrated potent anti-lipid peroxidative and antioxidant functions during the course of skin cancer induction by DMBA. CONCLUSION： Chemopreventive potential of RG was demonstrated from overall results of this study indicating its possible use in therapeutic formulation of an effective drug to treat skin cancer.
文摘The management of non-melanoma skin cancers metastatic to the neck is challenging due to variability in biological behavior and patterns of regional lymphatic spread.Metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers to the parotid and neck often behave aggressively,with a high incidence of local recurrence after treatment and reduced five-year survival outcomes.Patterns of lymphatic spread are different from those seen in mucosal squamous cell carcinoma,with higher prevalence of disease in the parotid and superficial lymphatics.These factors require that treatment is individualized to achieve optimal outcomes.Traditionally,the management of non-melanoma skin cancers metastatic to lymph nodes has involved surgical excision followed by adjuvant radiation therapy.However,novel systemic therapies are showing promising results and their role in the management of these cancers is evolving.
文摘OBJECTIVE: To examine 10 cases with primary cutaneous CD30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), analyze their clinical manifestations and pathological and immunohistochemical features, and improve early diagnosis of this disease. METHODS: We studied the morphological characteristics of primary cutaneous CD30-positive ALCL using histopathological methods. Leukocyte common antigen (LCA), CD20, CD30, CD45RO, CD68, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), cytokeratin (CK) and HMB45 antibodies were used to determine the expression of their respective antigens from routine paraffin samples of the patients. RESULTS: Ten patients (7 men and 3 women, aged 31 to 84 years) complained of subcutaneous masses or papular eruptions over their lower trunks and extremities. Histopathologically, the lesions were composed of numerous large round or oval pleomorphic cells. The cytoplasm was usually abundant, amphophilic or basophilic, and finely vacuolated. Nuclei were commonly eccentrically localized and lobated or horseshoed in shape, and multinucleated giant cells and Reed-Sternberg-like cells were seen. Nucleoli were generally multiple and large. Of the 10 patients, tumor cells displayed positive antigen expression of CD30 in all cases, positive CD45RO in 6 cases, positive CD20 in only 1 case, but negative CD45RO and CD20 expressions in 3 cases. Two patients died at 7 weeks and 3.4 years of follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the importance of histopathologic features and positive CD30 staining for differentiation of this disease from other malignant skin tumors.
基金The study was supported by NIH R01 IA143810the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology,Thomas Jefferson University Institutional funds.
文摘Objective:Well-defined germ-line mutations in thePTCH1 gene are associated with syndromic multiple basal cell carcinomas(BCCs).Here,we used whole exome sequencing(WES)to identify the role of patched-1 in patients with multiple,unusually large BCCs.Methods:A 72-year old patient presenting with numerous BCCs progressing to large ulcerating lesions was enrolled.WES was used to identify the pathogenic gene locus.Results:Genetic work-up by WES identified a homozygousPTCH1 nonsense mutation in the tumor tissue but not present in her blood cells or in non-lesional skin.In addition,heterozygous missense mutations were identified in three cancer-associated genes(EPHB2,RET,andGALNT12)in blood cells as well as in lesional and non-lesional skin.We also tested systemic immune therapy as a potentially beneficial approach to treat patients with numerous large BCCs on scatted areas of involvement.A rapid and sustained response to nivolumab was noted,suggesting that it is an efficacious drug for long-term therapeutic outcome.Conclusion:PTCH1,EPHB2,RET,andGALNT12 may potentially contribute to the synergistic oncogene driven malignant transformation manifesting as multiple,unusually large BCCs.
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Q-switched alexandrite laser irradiation on dermal melanocytes of nevus of Ota. METHODS: Multiple biopsies were carried out on 4 patients with nevus of Ota before and after laser irradiation. Altogether 11 samples were examined under light microscope and 14 under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Immediately after laser irradiation, the dermal melanocytes were destroyed, the melanosomes were degenerated with central vesicle formation within most of them, and intradermal round vacuoles appeared. The epidermis remained intact. Three months to 1 year after irradiation, the degenerated melanosomes and cell debris were scavenged mainly by macrophages. Dermal melanocytes gradually decreased. No fibrosis was found. CONCLUSION: Q-switched alexandrite laser can selectively destroy dermal melanocytes of nevus of Ota and treat the disease safely.
