Nail findings, sunscreen: Read this year’s top cutaneous oncology articles of 2024

Key takeaways:

• A study finding an association between a novel, benign nail presentation and cancer topped the list.
• Content involving sunscreen, William Shatner and smoking followed closely behind.

As the year comes to a close, Healio Dermatology has assembled this year’s most-read cutaneous oncology articles.

The most popular article detailed results from a study that showed a link between a novel, benign nail finding and a syndrome that increases patients’ risks for certain cancers. Closely following were articles about the lack of new sunscreen ingredients approved in the U.S. and a celebrity perspective on physician’s care and attention during melanoma treatment.

Read these and more below:

Novel, benign nail finding linked to syndrome that increases risk for certain cancers

New evidence suggested that a novel, benign nail finding may facilitate the detection of BRCA1-associated protein tumor predisposition syndrome which leaves patients at risk for certain cancers. Read more.

‘Clear as mud’: Why the FDA has not approved new sunscreen ingredients

The FDA has not approved a new sunscreen ingredient since the 1990s, leaving consumers and clinicians wondering why. In this article, Healio spoke with multiple experts concerning the reasons why and where the U.S. will go from here. Read more.

After stage 4 melanoma diagnosis, treatment, William Shatner shares new outlook on life

At the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, actor William Shatner shared his stage 4 melanoma story which included an initial dismissive consultation followed by a life-saving visit with a caring physician. Read more.

Smoking status associated with melanoma survival

A study found that patients with melanoma who smoke have a higher risk for melanoma-related death. Read more.

CBD cream prevents, repairs skin damage from the sun, but not sunscreen substitute

Topically applied nanoparticle-encapsulated cannabidiol cream helped prevent and repair damage to the skin from ultraviolet A radiation, according to a first-of-its-kind study. Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, professor and chair of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences and a member of Healio Dermatology’s Peer Perspective Board, discussed these findings. Read more.

Intralesional immunotherapy shows potential for treating various skin cancers

Intralesional immunotherapy showed potential as a treatment for cutaneous malignancies, including nonmelanoma skin cancer, according to a speaker at the ODAC Dermatology, Aesthetic & Surgical 2024 Conference. Vishal A. Patel, MD, FAAD, director of dermatologic surgery, director of cutaneous oncology and associate professor of dermatology and of medicine/oncology at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, weighed in. Read more.

2-GEP test rules out melanoma in real-world study

According to a real-world study presented at the Winter Clinical Conference, the noninvasive 2-gene expression profiling assay test has the ability to rule out melanoma with a negative predictive value over 99%. Read more.

Cutaneous melanoma diagnosis may impact total life expectancy

Evaluating the loss of life expectancy among patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma may help establish a lifetime prognosis for patients, according to a study. Read more.

Military members, veterans face increased risk for melanoma

According to a press release from the American Academy of Dermatology, U.S. military members face an increased risk for developing melanoma due to occupational hazards. Read more.

FDA grants breakthrough device designation to AI-powered, diagnostic skin cancer tool

This summer, the FDA granted breakthrough device designation to VIO Skin Platform (Enspectra Health), an AI-powered tool that evaluates suspicious lesions for skin cancer. Read more.