Melanoma in Skin of Color: Therapeutic and Diagnostic Challenges
LiVDerm is exploring topics that specifically impact darker skin tones – referred to in the industry as Skin of Color (SOC) – to shine awareness on racial disparities that exist in the dermatologic community. This week we explore the unique challenges of diagnosing and treating melanoma in patients with SOC, and the disproportionate disease burden […]
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month: Disparities in Melanoma Outcomes Between Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and White Patients
The month of May celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month a period dedicated to the recognition of the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements. In light of this observance, the subject of disparities in melanoma outcomes between patients of Asian American and Pacific Islander […]
Skin Cancer Awareness Month: AI Model Predicts Immunotherapy Response in Melanoma Patients
The discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma, however, there is currently no easy way to predict patient response  or their risk for immune-related toxicities without conducting RNA sequencing – a method rarely found at community oncology clinics. Researchers report an emerging technique that aims to solve this problem by […]
AI Model Predicts Immunotherapy Response in Melanoma Patients
The discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma, however, there is currently no easy way to predict patient response  or their risk for immune-related toxicities without conducting RNA sequencing – a method rarely found at community oncology clinics. Researchers report an emerging technique that aims to solve this problem by […]
Remembering Bob Marley: Rare Melanomas and Racial Disparities in Cutaneous OncologyÂ
Known as one of the pioneers of reggae who increased the visibility of Jamaican music across the globe, Bob Marley is less recognized for his battle with a rare form of melanoma – acral lentiginous melanoma. The story of the global pop culture figure highlights the racial disparities in prevalence and treatment of melanomas, as […]
Racial Differences in Time to Treatment for Melanoma Patients
The incidence of cutaneous melanoma continues to rise as an estimated 2.3% of Americans are diagnosed with the disease per year. Research has shown that the frequency of dermatology visits can reduce adverse events, mortality, and unnecessary hospitalizations for melanoma patients. Time of detection and time to treatment are essential factors in guaranteeing the best […]
Advances in Melanoma Treatment and Prognosis
The most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma, can be entirely curable if caught and treated early. However, once it has become metastatic, the average five-year survival rate drops down to between 15 and 20%. Previously, patients with a late stage melanoma diagnosis faced poor outcomes and very low survival rates. A melanoma diagnosis used […]
A Smartphone App Helps in Diagnosing Melanoma
While differentiating skin cancer from a harmless lesion can be tricky, Michael Kolodney, the chair of West Virginia University’s Department of Dermatology, has recently developed a smartphone app: designed to help students practice diagnosing melanomas based on their physical appearance. Experienced dermatologists office diagnose their patients’ lesions through visual diagnoses, versus a checklist-based assessment. While […]
FDA Recently Approves Combination Treatment for Melanoma
The rates of melanoma have been consistently rising in the last three decades: statistics from the American Cancer Society indicate that about 91,270 new melanomas will be diagnosed in 2018; approximately 9,320 people will die of melanoma in the same year. In light of the rapid rise of both melanoma and overall skin cancer cases, […]
Melanocortin 1 Receptor Variants as a Risk for Melanoma
Recently published findings in JAMA Dermatology explore the role of MC1R in melanoma risk, and whether it contributes differently to the skin cancer risk factors in males and females. MC1R, the melanocortin 1 receptor, is one of the key proteins involved in regulating mammalian skin and hair color: controlling the type of melanin being produced—and […]
