Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (non-metastatic).
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
Biomedical subjects
Robin Marks
Publications and source records attributed to Robin Marks.
The changing incidence and mortality of melanoma in Australia.
For many years Australia has had the highest incidence and mortality rates in the world for melanoma. The incidence rate has been increasing at around 5% per year and the mortality rate, at a rate slightly lower than that. Epidemiology studies have shown clearly that there is both a constitutional and an environmental contribution to melanoma risk, with sunlight being the major risk factor in the environment. The data also clearly show that the thickness of a melanoma at the time it is removed is one of the major determinants of the likelihood of metastasis and thus of the long-term prognosis. Both of these components have been incorporated into major public health programmes aimed at melanoma control in Australia over the last 25 years. Primary prevention programmes have been aimed at reducing the desire for a tan and subsequent overexposure to sunlight. Secondary prevention (early detection) programmes have encouraged people in the community to seek early attention if they notice a new or changing pigmented lesion. Although the age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates for Australia continue to rise, cohort analysis of both incidence and mortality rates reveals that the overall rise is not reflected in all age groups. In the younger cohorts--groups that it has been possible to influence by our public health campaigns in recent decades--both incidence and mortality rates are dropping.
Australia↗
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus presenting in a child.
A 5-year-old girl presented in summer with an erythematous, scaly annular eruption in a malar distribution. She had no symptoms or signs of systemic lupus erythematosus. A diagnosis of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus was made on the basis of the clinical and histological features, positive anti-Ro antibody and a mildly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. All other investigations, including complement studies, were normal. She has responded well to treatment with 0.5% alclometasone ointment and photoprotection.
Administration, Topical↗
Cost of psoriasis: a study on the morbidity and financial effects of having psoriasis in Australia.
Eighty-three participants with psoriasis were followed over a 2-year period assessing the severity, morbidity and cost of their disease over time. At recruitment, they were examined by a dermatologist who classified them on a global basis as mild (47%), moderate (35%) or severe (18%). A Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was also recorded at the initial interview. Participants completed questionnaires on the morbidity related to having psoriasis using the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) and a self-administered PASI (SAPASI) score at the initial interview and at 3-monthly intervals over the 2-year period. During the 3-monthly follow ups, patients also collected information on the cost of treatment. Using the PDI data, two-thirds of the respondents said that, as a result of their psoriasis, they altered the way they carried out their normal daily activities; more than 50% wore different types or colours of clothing; more than 50% said their home was made more messy or untidy; and over a third had problems at the hairdresser or difficulties playing sport. The annual out-of-pocket expense for medical products was around AUD$250 per person, with costs ranging from zero to more than AUD$2,000 per individual over the 2-year period. Costs were highest for over-the-counter products purchased without a medical prescription. There were similar variations in the out-of-pocket expenses of medical consultations depending on the level of medical care required. The study revealed that the standard methods used for classification of severity of psoriasis, such as the PASI or SAPASI scores, do not take into account the treatment being used at the time the score is recorded and therefore may not accurately reflect the true severity.
Adolescent↗
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: non-metastatic.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗