Current Cancer Therapy Reviews - Volume 12, Issue 2, 2016

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer. It is the first human cancer known to be associated with a polyomavirus. The vast majority of publications are case reports. Our goal is to discuss practical suggestions for the treatment, based on our clinical experience and a review of the literature. Surgery is the initial treatment of choice. Radiotherapy is used as primary or adjuvant treatment. The chemothe Read More

In spite of being the most common primary brain tumor in adults, extracranial metastases are rarely seen during the lifetime of patients with glioblastoma. Majority of metastases occur in chest, abdomen, bone, lymph nodes, and spinal cord. Scalp lesions from glioblastoma are extremely rare, with only few cases reported in the literature. Scalp glioblastomas have been reported to occur via direct extension of the intracra Read More

Canada and France do not have a lot of sunshine but skin cancer is still the most common tumor. The majority of the population is white. The pattern of care for skin cancers is similar to the delivery of care for other cancers. No extra resources are allocated to skin cancer. The general practitioners are the first care providers for skin cancers. Excision or biopsy of the skin lesion establishes the diagnosis. If residual diseas Read More

Selection of treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) takes into account many factors, including different host, tumor and treatment factors. Examples of these factors are presented. Ultimately the treatment decision is affected by the availability of surgical, dermatological, radiotherapeutic expertise and supportive resources. Different treatment options are discussed in this review. After appropriate educati Read More

This review summarizes techniques, indications and contraindications for radiotherapy for non-melanoma skin cancer. Different radiotherapy techniques including brachytherapy, electron treatments, photon treatments with electronic brachytherapy, linear accelerator, and orthovoltage machines are available. Radiation oncologists have to select the best technique for different sites and scenarios. Details of specific radio Read More

Photodynamic therapy has many treatment applications for malignant and premalignant lesions of the skin. The basic principle involves application of a photosensitizer followed by exposure of the target tissues to light. 5-aminolevulinic acid is a natural occurring compound in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Its metabolite protoporphyrin IX is a photosensitizer that has the ability to selectively damage premalignant, malig Read More