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Helmut Breuninger

Publications and source records attributed to Helmut Breuninger.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The incidence and mortality of cutaneous melanoma in Southern Germany: trends by anatomic site and pathologic characteristics, 1976 to 2003.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous melanoma (CM) incidence and mortality have risen dramatically during the past 2 generations, particularly among Caucasian populations. Detailed, long-term trends of CM in relation to clinical and pathologic characteristics in a Central European population have not been published to date. METHODS: The current study was based on 1980 patients with invasive CM diagnosed in Southern Germany during the years from 1976 to 2003 documented by the Central Malignant Melanoma Registry. The German standard population was used to calculate age-standardized rates, and the annual percent change was estimated by using age, anatomic site, histologic type, and tumor thickness. RESULTS: During the study period, the incidence of CM approximately was tripled for males and females, reaching 10.3 and 13.3 per 100,000 per year, respectively (P < .001). The largest increases occurred for melanoma localized on the upper limbs (annual change, 5.9% for males and 5.0% for females; P < .001) and superficially spreading melanoma (annual change, 7.8% for males and 5.9% for females; P < .001). Thin tumors (Breslow thickness <1 mm) were presented significantly more often during the study period (annual change, 9.8% for males and 6.1% for females; P < .001), predominantly in younger patients. Thick tumors and nodular melanomas were more frequent among older patients (age >70 years), particularly among males. The age-standardized mortality decreased from 1.5 to 0.8 per 100,000 males and from 2.6 to 0.8 per 100,000 females with a significant downward trend for the female population (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicated which diverging trends between incidence and mortality may be explained by improved public awareness regarding suspicious pigmented lesions and the earlier detection of these tumors. Continuation of the current preventive strategy and its expansion to include older age groups in the population are warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Melanoma of the nose: prognostic factors, three-dimensional histology, and surgical strategies.

OBJECTIVES: The prominent position of the nose in the face accounts for its constant exposure to sunlight and thus its high incidence of malignant involvement. The aim of this prospective study was to define prognostic factors for nasal melanomas and to evaluate surgical strategies. METHODS: Forty-five patients with stage I/II melanoma were included. Malignant melanomas of the nose represented 0.8% of stage I/II cutaneous melanoma and 5.3% of head and neck melanoma (1983-2004). The median tumor thickness was 0.75 mm. Twenty-two of 33 Lentigo maligna melanomas (LMM) underwent three-dimensional (3D) histology in paraffin technique (i.e., micrographic surgery). RESULTS: The 5 year disease-specific survival rate was 96%, and the 5 year recurrence-free survival rate was 93%. There were no statistically significant risk factors in the univariate analysis. LMMs that were removed with accompanying 3D histology were thinner than other histologic types (median 0.75 vs. 1.55 mm). Compared with conventional histology, using 3D histology made it possible to reduce the excision margins (median 5 vs. 10 mm). There was one lymph node recurrence after LMM with 3D histology. Of five sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) there was no positive SLNB and no recurrence. CONCLUSION: This is the largest study of nasal melanomas so far. Excision of LMM using 3D histology allowed the reduction of excision margins for better cosmesis and function. Our results do not permit conclusions regarding the prognostic impact of SLNB.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Detection of melanoma cells displaying multiple genomic changes in histopathologically negative sentinel lymph nodes.

PURPOSE: Improved detection of early-disseminated melanoma cells may eventually translate into more effective patient care. We present a novel strategy for detection of melanoma cells in sentinel lymph nodes and confirm their malignant descent by genomic characterization. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In sentinel lymph nodes from 358 melanoma patients, we prospectively compared the rates of tumor cell detection between immunocytochemistry using HMB45 and Melan A antibodies on disaggregated lymph node samples and standard histopathology (H&E staining and immunostaining on tissue sections). Immunocytochemical melanoma cell detection was controlled by testing lymph node samples from 59 nonmelanoma patients and by isolation and comparative genomic analysis of 30 antigen-positive cells. RESULTS: Of the 358 patients, 43 (12%) were positive by standard histopathology, whereas HMB45 immunocytochemistry detected 159 of 358 (44%) positive patients. None of the control samples reacted with the HMB45 antibody. Reexamination of samples that were classified as negative by histopathology revealed that extensive serial sectioning would be necessary to achieve sensitivity similar to HMB45 immunocytochemistry. Interestingly, both the number of immunocytochemically positive samples and the number of positive cells in the sentinel node correlated with the thickness of the primary tumor (r = 0.34; P = 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Twenty-four of 30 isolated immunocytochemically positive cells (80%) displayed chromosomal aberrations, some of which were isolated from histopathologically negative nodes. CONCLUSION: Immunocytochemical detection of melanoma cells in sentinel lymph nodes is superior to standard histopathology. It remains to be determined whether the detection and genomic characterization of isolated melanoma cells in sentinel lymph nodes will provide relevant prognostic information.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Cosmetic results of histographically controlled excision of non-melanoma skin cancer in the head and neck region.

BACKGROUND: Beside the primary goal of complete eradication, the cosmetic result is an important aspect of the treatment of non-melanoma skin tumors especially in the head and neck region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1990 to 2000, we treated a total of 5,227 large basal cell carcinomas (BBC) and 1,189 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in the head and neck region by surgical excision in 4,239 inpatients at the Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen. The procedure used in all patients was a conservative excision controlled by complete three dimensional histology of all margins (3D-histology) and specifically targeted follow-up surgery where required (histographic surgery). As part of the prospective tumor follow-up, we asked the treating outdoor physician one and four years later to evaluate the results of our surgical procedures. RESULTS: Of the 5,565 follow-up questionnaires sent back, 4,868 contained answers regarding the cosmetic result. The data from both answers were pooled. In 1,972 (40,5 %) patients the cosmetic result was evaluated as "excellent", in 1,992 (40,9%) as "good", in 662 (13,6%) as "satisfactory", in 191 (3,9%) as "mediocre" and in 51 (< 1,0%) as "poor". In 697 of the responses, the physician did not comment the cosmetic results or the patient was lost for follow up. CONCLUSION: With respect to both long term safety and cosmetic outcome, tumor surgery with 3D-histology of excisional margins has set very high quality standards in the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer of the head and neck area.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Epinephrine-supplemented local anesthetics for ear and nose surgery: clinical use without complications in more than 10,000 surgical procedures.

INTRODUCTION: Local anesthetics supplemented with epinephrine are generally regarded as contraindicated for surgical procedures involving the fingers, toes, penis, outer ear and the tip of the nose [1], but epinephrine is essential if automated tumescence local anesthesia (Auto-TLA) is used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infiltration anesthesia supplemented with 1:200,000 epinephrine was used from 1985-1997 in our department, while Auto-TLA supplemented with 1:1.000,000 epinephrine was introduced in 1997 for all surgical procedures involving the ear or nose. During this period, 10,201 patients underwent surgery at these locations. In addition, dermal blood flow was analyzed by acral photoplethysmography (APPG) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in the right ear lobe of five normal volunteers and during epinephrine supplemented Auto-TLA. RESULTS: Epinephrine-induced complications were not observed in a single patient. Cosmetic skin flap surgery was performed in 4,953 of these patients. Even in patients with extended surgical procedures that took up to one to two hours and that included extensive skin flaps or skin grafts, we observed no increase in complications when compared to procedures performed either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia without epinephrine supplementation. Measuring blood perfusion of the earlobe showed a 69% reduction of LDF and a 42% reduction of arterial inflow (APPG) immediately following anesthesia. CONCLUSION: Epinephrine supplementation of local anesthetics does not block blood perfusion in the ear and did not induce organ, tissue or flap necrosis. Local anesthesia with epinephrine supplementation is therefore safe for acral areas such as the ear or nose. Despite the relatively small influence on blood perfusion, epinephrine supplementation results in a relatively bloodless operating field and longer effectiveness of local anesthesia. The relative absence of blood in the operating field of the ear and nose significantly reduces the duration of surgery and increases the healing rate, as less electrocautery is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans--an update.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare fibroblastic skin tumor of intermediate malignancy. Its pathogenesis has not yet been fully clarified. Recent basic genetic research has shown chromosomal translocations, generally termed "ring chromosomes", in DFSP. These arise from a fusion of chromosome regions 17q22 and 22q13, the gene loci which code the alpha chain of type I collagen. The diagnosis is made histologically. Differentiation from atypical dermatofibroma and dermatomyofibroma, as well as from malignant fibrous histiocytoma, whose prognosis is usually much less favorable, can be improved by immunostaining for CD 34 and Factor XIIIa. The extent of the tumors can be estimated by CT and more precisely with MRI. All these techniques fail to detect the fine tumor fascicles extending into the adjacent connective tissue and fat. Surgery is the therapy of choice for DFSP. The locally infiltrative growth pattern features clinically inapparent extensions which often extend for long distances in a horizontal direction. These tumor extensions are best detected by uninterrupted histological check of all margins, including the base (3-D-histology), with paraffin sections. Re-excision of tumor-positive areas until tumor-free margins are obtained ("histographic surgery") insures a high cure rate (97%) while preserving normal tissue.

Dermatofibrosarcoma↗
PubMed2003

"Functional" surgery in subungual melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Subungual melanomas represent approximately 2% to 3% of cutaneous melanomas in White populations. Complete or partial amputation proximal to the distal interphalangeal joint of the digits has been suggested. Recently, we introduced for acral melanomas, similar to lentigo maligna melanoma, limited excision and complete histology of excisional margins (three-dimensional histology). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic relevance of clinical parameters and different surgical management in patients with subungual melanoma. STUDY DESIGN: From 1980 to 1999, subungual melanoma was diagnosed in 62 of 3,960 stage I and II melanoma patients (1.6%) of the melanoma registry of the Department of Dermatology (University of Tuebingen). A retrospective comparative analysis of two treatment groups was performed: Thirty-one patients had an amputation in or proximal to the distal interphalangeal joint (median follow-up of 55 months), and 31 patients had "functional" surgery with local excision of the tumor and only partial resection of the distal phalanx (median follow-up of 54 months). RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, the level of invasion (P=0.0059), ulceration (P=0.0024), and tumor thickness (P=0.0004) were significant prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival but not for survival. In a multivariate analysis, only lower tumor thickness and a reduced level of amputation were independent significant prognostic parameters for recurrence-free survival (P=0.035 and P=0.0069). Patients with an amputation in or proximal to the distal interphalangeal joint did not fare better than patients with less radical "functional" surgery. CONCLUSION: Limited excision with partial resection of the distal phalanx only and three-dimensional histology to assure tumor-free resection margins give better cosmetic and functional results and do not negatively affect the prognosis of patients with subungual melanoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Cerebriform giant melanocytic nevus of the scalp: report of two cases with different surgical approaches.

Cerebriform giant melanocytic nevus of the scalp is an extremely rare malformation. Clinical appearance with maceration and fetor within the crypts and the risk of malignant transformation may require surgical therapy. We report two cases with different methods of surgical management. A 27-year-old woman noticed a swelling of the parietal scalp that developed over a period of 4 years into a gyrus-like tumor measuring 12 cm x 18 cm. The crypts between the gyri could not be inspected. Serial excisions under subcutaneous infusion anesthesia were performed to reduce the size of the nevus and to flatten the surface of the scalp. The second patient, a 26-year-old man, demonstrated a giant 10 cm x 10 cm cerebriform nevus on the occiput. The nevus also contained areas of fetid maceration. After implanting a tissue expander under general anesthesia the nevus was excised. The defect was closed using a rotation flap.

Adult↗