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Biomedical subjects

Pietro Rubegni

Publications and source records attributed to Pietro Rubegni.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Benign lymphoepithelial lesion associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: an immunohistochemical and molecular genetic study.

BACKGROUND: Benign lymphoepithelial lesions (BLEL) are usually found in salivary glands in autoimmune disorders. Some LEL are recognized to already be, or may progress to become, lymphomas. Skin lesions similar to LEL have been described in lymphomas, and are caused by neoplastic lymphocytes which infiltrate adnexal structures. To date, BLEL have not widely been recognized in the skin. METHODS: We describe skin lesions similar to BLELs, at the periphery of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in 8 healthy patients, in one of whom the lesion recurred. Immunocharacterization of both epithelial and lymphocytic components and molecular genetic investigation was performed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was done to detect IgH chain gene, and T-cell receptor beta and gamma gene rearrangements. Association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was also tested by in situ hybridization (ISH) for EBV-encoded RNAs (EBERs). RESULTS: Epithelial cells showed the immunophenotype of eccrine sweat gland ducts. Infiltrating lymphocytes expressed overwhelming B antigens and CD5. Neither clonal B and/or T proliferations nor EBERs signals were demonstrable. CONCLUSIONS: We observed skin lesions similar to BLELs, showing modifications of sweat gland duct and CD5+, B lymphocytic expansion. In our cases there were no associated autoimmune disorders; the local immunoresponse to SCC might have caused BLEL.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Digital dermoscopy analysis and artificial neural network for the differentiation of clinically atypical pigmented skin lesions: a retrospective study.

Noninvasive diagnostic methods such as dermoscopy or epiluminescence light microscopy have been developed in an attempt to improve diagnostic accuracy of pigmented skin lesions. The evaluation of the many morphologic characteristics of pigmented skin lesions observable by epiluminescence light microscopy, however, is often extremely complex and subjective. With the aim of obviating these problems of qualitative interpretation, methods based on mathematical analysis of pigmented skin lesions have recently been designed. These methods are based on computerized analysis of digital images obtained by epiluminescence light microscopy. In this study we used a digital dermoscopy analyzer with 147 clinically atypical pigmented skin lesions (90 nevi and 57 melanomas) to determine its discriminating power with respect to histologic diagnosis. The system evaluated 48 objective parameters used to train an artificial neural network. Using the artificial neural network with 10 variables selected by a stepwise procedure, we obtained a maximum accuracy in distinguishing melanoma from benign lesions of about 93%. Comparing this result with those of the many studies using classical epiluminescence light microscopy, it emerges that the method proposed is equal or even superior in diagnostic accuracy and has the advantage of not depending on the expertise of the clinician who examines the lesion.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Skin cancer day in Italy: method of referral to open access clinics and tumor prevalence in the examined population.

Education campaigns to encourage self-examination coupled with rapid access to specialized dermatological clinics is considered the key strategy in the realization of early detection of cutaneous melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). An alternative to an initial visit to the family doctor is open access to a skin cancer clinic at the decision of the individual. This approach has been followed mainly in countries with high melanoma incidence where the majority of the population is of northern European origin. However, the efficacy of this system has not been well established because there are few studies involving systematic follow up of individuals with positive screening through pathological confirmation of the diagnosis. We report the follow up data focussed on melanoma and NMSC detection rates in more than 1,000 subjects examined at numerous 1-day, open access clinics on the occasion of the Italian nation-wide "Skin Cancer Day" campaign promoted by the Federation of Italian Dermatological Societies. Total body skin examination was performed on all subjects, and surgical excision of a lesion was recommended in 41 of the 1042 subjects (3.9 %). Histologic diagnosis, available for 39/41 lesions, evidenced 3 superficial spreading melanomas (1 in situ, one "thin" lesion, ie. 0.30 mm in thickness, and one "thick" lesion, with a thickness of 4.53 mm) and 6 NMSC (5 BCC and 1 SCC). Thus, the prevalence of skin cancer (melanoma and NMSC) in this group was 0.8 % (9/1042), and the prevalence of melanoma was 3/1042, 0.2 %, rather similar to that found in populations of northern European origin. Open access to skin cancer clinics may represent an alternative approach to melanoma prevention also in southern European populations. Increased public awareness regarding skin cancer probably represents the main effect of this type of campaign.

Adult↗