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Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. An important role of innate immune dysregulation in the pathogenesis of HS has been highlighted. S100A7 (psoriasin) is an innate, antimicrobial protein that exerts proinflammatory and chemotactic action. Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate serum concentrations of S100A7 in individuals with HS as compared to healthy controls. Further, we evaluated the expression of S100A7 in lesional HS skin as compared to perilesional (clinically uninvolved) HS skin and normal skin. Methods: Serum concentrations of S100A7 were evaluated with a commercially available ELISA kit. The expression of S100A7 in the skin was assessed using qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. Results: We found increased expression of S100A7 in lesional HS skin as compared to perilesional HS skin (p = 0.0017). The expression of S100A7 in lesional HS skin was positively associated with serum C-reactive protein concentration and the severity of disease according to Hurley staging. The serum concentration of S100A7 in individuals with HS was decreased as compared to healthy controls and patients with psoriasis. Conclusions: Upregulated in lesional HS skin, S100A7 may enhance the inflammatory process and contribute to the HS pathogenesis.

Basosquamous carcinoma (BSC) is a rare non-melanoma skin cancer that shares the characteristic features of both basal and squamous cell carcinomas (BCC, SCC). Our research enables better characterization of BSC in comparison to high-risk subtypes of BCC and SCC. Paper includes a retrospective analysis of BSC cases regarding sex, age, number of tumors and anatomical distribution in comparison to BCC and SCC evaluating the differences and defining the implications. Histologically confirmed carcinomas recorded between 1999 and 2019 were studied. 181 diagnosed BSC cases were identified, making this study the largest cohorts of BSC patients reported worldwide. Most cases were reported on head and neck. Analysis of facial anatomic distribution shows that most commonly affected sites were the nose (43%) and the cheek (25%). The age at excision of metatypical BCC was higher than those of low-risk BCC (P P = 0.20). We revisited that the concept of BSC is the most similar to high-risk subtypes of BCC. Patients with diagnosed BSC have higher risk of second nonmelanoma skin cancer. Therefore, the frequency of follow-up examination should be adjusted to the individual risk of another skin cancer.

Introduction Rhinophyma is a relatively rare form of rosacea, while basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent skin cancer in humans – both diseases prevail in the elderly. Aim To analyse patients with rhinophyma treated surgically in the Dermatosurgery Unit and look for possible cases with BCC within the rhinophyma. Material and methods We performed a retrospective review of all treated rhinophymas in the Dermatosurgery Unit in 2004–2019. Results Among 140 rhinophyma patients 2 (1.4%) subjects with concomitant clinically diagnosed and histologically confirmed BCC were found, with BCC located in the hypertrophic tissue of the nose. There were no patients with BCC located in other anatomical regions of the skin. Both of these patients were in more advanced age. Conclusions Taking into consideration these two conditions: advanced age and anatomical location, typical for BCC, one may speculate that the development of BCC within rhinophyma is rather a simple coincidence. However, more numerous series of patients with rhinophyma are needed to clear the controversy of BCC within rhinophyma hypertrophic tissue.

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancies diagnosed in Caucasian populations. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent skin cancer, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Unfortunately, most European cancer registries do not record individual types of NMSC. To evaluate the incidence of primary BCCs and SCCs regarding age, sex, tumour site and tumour subtype to determine trends in epidemiology of both cancers. Retrospective analysis of BCCs and SCCs diagnosed and treated across seven sites in Poland from 1999 to 2019. We recorded 13,913 NMSCs occurring in 10,083 patients. BCC represented 85.2% of all cases. SCC patients were older than BCC patients (77.1 ± 11.3 years vs. 70.1 ± 12.3 years, p 0.01). The nodular subtype was the most common subtype of BCC, followed by the superficial and infiltrative subtypes. The superficial BCC subtype was more common on photoprotected areas (p 0.01), whereas the nodular BCC subtype occurred on the face (p 0.01). The high-risk SCC subtypes were more common on face compared to low-risk SCC subtypes (p 0.01). BCC and SCC are common malignancies developing at various ages and anatomical sites. These data underline the need for better registration policies regarding NMSC in order to improve prevention and treatment strategies for these tumours.

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancies diagnosed in Caucasian populations. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent skin cancer, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Unfortunately, most European cancer registries do not record individual types of NMSC. To evaluate the incidence of primary BCCs and SCCs regarding age, sex, tumour site and tumour subtype to determine trends in epidemiology of both cancers. Retrospective analysis of BCCs and SCCs diagnosed and treated across seven sites in Poland from 1999 to 2019. We recorded 13,913 NMSCs occurring in 10,083 patients. BCC represented 85.2% of all cases. SCC patients were older than BCC patients (77.1 ± 11.3 years vs. 70.1 ± 12.3 years, p p p p

Biologics seem to offer a promising nonsurgical approach in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), especially in disease with highly pronounced inflammation. Recent studies revealed increased expression of a broad range of cytokines in lesional HS skin, including interleukin (IL)-17.This study was undertaken to determine IL-17 serum levels in this group of patients.Our study was conducted on a group of 86 patients between 16 and 72 years of age with HS. A total of 86 matched healthy volunteers constituted the control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to quantify IL-17 serum concentration.The mean IL-17 serum level of patients with HS was 3.68 ± 2.08 pg/mL, which was significantly elevated (P .0001) compared with that found in healthy volunteers (2.5 ± 1.11 pg/mL). Moreover, there was a tendency toward higher serum concentrations of IL-17 in patients with more advanced disease (P = .005). Disease duration; patient sex, age, and body mass index; and smoking habits were not determining factors for IL-17 serum concentration.Hospital-based study population was a limitation, as was a lack of posttreatment assessment.In light of our findings and literature on increased expression of IL-17 in HS lesions, evaluating the clinical effectiveness of using anti-IL-17 agents in the treatment of patients with HS is justified.

SummaryBackground The management of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is still challenging, and new treatment methods are necessary. Acitretin seems to be a promising agent in HS management; however, literature data are limited. Objectives To investigate the clinical efficacy of acitretin monotherapy in 17 patients with long-standing and recalcitrant HS. Simultaneously, an assessment of quality of life was carried out. Methods The study was conducted with a group of 17 patients with HS. Patients were treated with acitretin for up to 9 months and examined at baseline, after 1 month, and then every 3 months from baseline. The clinical extent of disease severity was measured with the HS Severity Index (HSSI), Hurley scoring system, Physician's Global Assessment and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results Nine patients (53%) finished the whole 9 months of acitretin treatment. The mean acitretin dose was 0·56 ± 0·08 mg kg−1 daily. A significant improvement of clinical manifestation (HSSI, DLQI) was observed after only 1 month of therapy, and further improvement was recorded during the next few months. Overall, eight subjects (47%) fulfilled the criteria for response (HSSI ≥ 50% reduction from baseline). The dropout rate was 47%, due mostly to drug ineffectiveness and adverse events. Discontinuation of treatment resulted in deterioration or relapse of HS 2–8 months after acitretin cessation, in all but one patient. Conclusions HS treatment with acitretin seems to be a promising method of disease management. However, due to the high daily dosage, its usage may be limited.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin is considered to be the most common malignancy in people of European ancestry. It is often not clinically aggressive and has been regarded as genetically stable. However, histopathologic subtypes of BCC differ in their ability to invade surrounding tissues and recur. The aim of this work was to present a comprehensive study of chromosomal imbalances of cutaneous BCC and to correlate the findings with their histopathologic and clinical features. In all, 101 tumor samples were classified according to the current microscopic classification of BCC and then analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Over 60% of BCC were found to carry chromosomal imbalances - partial or whole chromosome gains and losses. Different subtypes of BCC presented common chromosomal alterations. No single chromosomal imbalance was found to be characteristic of a particular subtype of BCC, although the frequency of some chromosomal changes differed from one group to the other. The significance of chromosome 2 gains as a phenomenon that does not coexist with the losses in 9q is discussed.

Background There are many situations in integument surgery in which secondary intention healing (SIH) may bring results comparable or even superior to those obtained with primary intention healing. Objective To present our own methods of employing SIH in surgical treatment of different skin lesions. Moreover, to delineate the extended indications for SIH as a first-line method of wound treatment. Methods Between 1999 and 2009, we conducted 236 operations followed by SIH in the group of 195 patients. Two independent investigators and the patients carried out post-operative assessment (at 12 months) of both cosmetic and functional results of operations (data for 142 patients). Moreover, at 3 and 12 months, patients were asked for self-evaluation of the outcomes of surgical procedures using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Results The most frequent indications for SIH were defects after the excision of non-melanoma skin cancers and hidradenitis suppurativa lesions. Depending on localization, the mean extent of the post-operative wounds prepared for SIH ranged from 0.8to 85.7 cm2. The healing lasted 2–12 weeks. The most important factor was the size of the wound (r = 0.59; P

OBJECTIVE To describe our own surgical techniques of wound closure in pubic and armpit areas in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and to analyze surgical procedures performed with regard to complications, tolerance, and factors influencing recurrence rate. METHODS Between 1999 and 2009, 118 operations were performed on 57 patients with HS. Surgical procedures included local excision of involved tissue and different methods of wound closure, including those of our own design such as the “star-like” technique and “pubic flaps.” Treatment tolerance was evaluated 3 months after surgery, and efficacy was evaluated after 24 months. RESULTS Forty-four (77.2%) patients showed good tolerance of the operation and during the postoperative period, whereas only one individual (1.8%) reported unsatisfactory tolerance. Of all patients, 51 (89.5%) expressed willingness to undergo additional surgery in the event of lesion recurrence. During the 2-year follow-up period, complete recovery was observed in 34 (59.7%) patients, partial recovery in 18 (31.6%), and no improvement in five (8.8%). Factors influencing recurrence rate were number of skin areas affected by HS lesions and disease duration. CONCLUSION Surgical treatment of HS is effective and well tolerated. In selected cases, our own techniques of surgical wound closure accelerated healing and improved results. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a recurrent, debilitating suppurative skin disease. The symptoms are much more than just physical, but studies of its impact on patients’ psychological state and related quality of life are very limited. The current study was conducted with a group of 54 patients, aged 16–65 years, who had an active, but stable, course of hidradenitis suppurativa. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of hidradenitis suppurativa on a broad spectrum of psychophysical factors. Assessment was carried out using several questionnaires, which revealed the following mean scores: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (12.67 ± 7.7), Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form (BDI-SF) (5.87 ± 4.68), Evers et al. “6-Item Scale” (3.87 ± 3.65), EQ-5D (0.66 ± 0.23 (health index) and 56.78 ± 18.84 (VAS)), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue scale (FACIT-F) (32.06 ± 11.01) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) (56.44 ± 15.17%). The results highlight the important impact of hidradenitis suppurativa on a wide spectrum of psychophysical aspects and impairment of related quality of life among patients. Our findings indicate that advancement of the disease seems to be the most important factor negatively influencing patients’ well-being (p < 0.01). It is noteworthy that an anogenital location appears to impair the hidradenitis suppurativa patients’ quality of life most of all (p < 0.05), but the occurrence of lesions on uncovered skin plays a crucial role in the stigmatization level (p < 0.05). Key words: hidradenitis suppurativa; acne inversa; quality of life; DLQI; BDI; EQ-5D; FACIT-F; QLES-Q-SF.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is difficult to treat owing to its complex pathomechanism; besides the extensive inflammation with abscesses and inflammatory nodules, there is also an architectural loss with sinus tract formation and in severe cases with extensive scarring. Therefore, surgery is mandatory in moderate and severe HS.

Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignancy. Eyelids constitute a special location of BCC because of the proximity of the eyeball. Objective This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of BCC located on the eyelids, to examine the clinical and histologic types of BCCs in this location, and to present some reconstructive techniques used in the treatment of BCC in palpebral region. Methods There were 330 patients with BCC retrospectively included in the study. The comparison was performed between clinical and histologic features of BCCs located on eyelids and in other locations. Results and Conclusions Approximately 16% of all tumors were located on the eyelids. The majority of tumors were situated on the lower eyelid. Noduloulcerative clinical type was observed in 96.3% of tumors. This type was significantly more frequently found on eyelids than on trunk and extremities (p

Background Mutations in nucleotide excision repair (NER) genes are the cause of xeroderma pigmentosum, a genetic syndrome with proneness to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may affect the effectiveness of DNA repair and hence influence individual susceptibility to a variety of neoplasms. The aim of this study was to find associations between SNPs in selected NER genes and sporadic BCC development. Materials and methods The study group consisted of 100 patients with histopathologically confirmed BCCs and the control group of 100 elderly individuals with no personal history of any cancer. DNA isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes was genotyped for seven SNPs in five different NER genes. Statistical analyses for associations were performed. Results A weak association between XPD exon 6 silent C/A polymorphism and BCC development risk was found when comparing single polymorphisms between the two groups. When considering sex and SNPs, men with the A-allele in XPC intron 11 C/A have been found to have a decreased risk of BCC. Conclusions There is no consistency in association studies between SNPs and BCC susceptibility. SNPs in NER genes seem to have an insignificant influence on the risk of developing BCC of the skin.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is nowadays regarded as a systemic disease associated with metabolic syndrome. Some recent studies have also demonstrated an increased cardiovascular risk in patients with HS. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an integral role in the regulation and protection of the endothelium and in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the possible alterations in the number of EPCs in patients with HS compared to controls. Methods: The number of EPCs, identified as CD133+/KDR+ cells, was determined with flow cytometry in the peripheral blood of 25 HS patients and 31 controls. Results: The number of EPCs was significantly reduced in HS sufferers compared with controls (p < 0.0001). The mean number of EPCs was assessed as 191.3 ± 118.5/ml and 672.4 ± 343.0/ml for patients and controls, respectively. Conclusion: A decreased number of EPCs among HS sufferers may contribute to endothelial malfunction resulting in increased cardiovascular risk in this group of patients.

The Brooke-Spiegler syndrome is an autosomal dominant one characterized by cylindromas, trichoepitheliomas and occasionally spiradenomas. Within a given family, some members may have cylindromas whereas others may have trichoepitheliomas or both. We describe the coexistence of trichoepithelioma papulosum multiplex (also known as epithelioma adenoides cysticum of Brooke) and cylindromas in a 30-year-old man, and discuss the relationship between these two autosomal dominant syndromes.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a recurrent, debilitating suppurative skin disease. Nowadays the major challenge is the choice of optimal treatment. Many conservative therapies seem to have only a supportive character and do not prevent progression of the disease. Early surgical intervention with complete excision of the involved areas is still considered to be the most efficient therapy, but anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha agents may offer a possible non-surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentration of TNF-alpha and its probable alterations during the disease process in patients with HS. Analysis of TNF-alpha serum concentration in 54 individuals with HS revealed significantly higher levels than in the sera of healthy controls (p = 0.006). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of increased TNF-alpha serum concentration in patients with HS.