Newest therapies, popular sessions highlight AAD meeting

DENVER — Advanced melanoma staging with updates on future therapies, the latest acne treatments, and laser and botulinum toxin A treatments for wounded warrior traumatic injuries are highlights of the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting beginning today.

AAD representatives expect more than 17,000 dermatologists and industry representatives to attend the 5-day event that ends Tuesday. Popular returning sessions include today’s “Hot Topics” symposium, directed by David Eric Cohen, MD, which will review treatments for dermatologic diseases and aesthetic practices.

Presentations will include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, fillers and toxins, acne and rosacea, hair and scalp disorders, lasers and devices, and psoriasis.

Saturday’s late-breaking research session, renamed The Latest in Dermatology Research, has been expanded to two sessions. The first part will highlight clinical research and dermatoepidemiology, and the second part will focus on basic science, dermatopathology and pediatric dermatology.

Hensin Tsao

“This symposium has traditionally been a very popular session, and this year promises to deliver as much of the same energy, enthusiasm, and possibly controversy, as before,” session director HensinTsao, MD, PhD, said in AAD’s Annual Meeting News.

Sunday’s plenary session agenda includes talks from outgoing AAD President Dirk M.Elston, MD, FAAD, and incoming president Brett M. Coldiron, MD, FAAD, who will assume office at the end of the meeting.

Brett M. Coldiron

“Rapidly changing health care legislation, such as limited provider networks, is threatening our ability to meet our patients’ needs,” Coldiron told Healio.com. “As president of the academy, my goal is threefold: to help the individual dermatologist meet the challenges they face in this rapidly changing health care environment; to unite our specialty; and to help Americans get the care that they deserve.”