exudates and Melanoma

Topics: Africa; China; Diagnosis, Differential; Echinococcosis, Hepatic; Fatty Liver; Hepatomegaly; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Diseases, Parasitic; Liver Neoplasms; Malaysia; Melanoma

Five culinary-medicinal mushrooms are commonly available in the Malaysian market: Agaricus bisporus (white and brown), Ganoderma lucidum, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Pleurotus floridanus, and P. pulmonarius. These species were selected for use in the current study, the aim of which was to investigate the antimelanogenesis and anti-inflammatory activity of these mushrooms in an attempt to evaluate their potential use in cosmeceuticals. Mushroom fruiting bodies were extracted with hot water, and the extracts were freeze-dried before testing. The antimelanogenesis activity of the extracts was determined by cell viability assay, measurement of intracellular melanin content, and cellular tyrosinase assay with B16F10 melanoma cells. The anti-inflammatory activity of the mushroom extracts was tested by measuring the levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin-10 excreted by RAW264.7 macrophages. Brown A. bisporus reduced intracellular melanin content to the largest extent-up to 57.05 ± 3.90%-without a cytotoxic effect on B16F10 melanoma cells. This extract also reduced cellular tyrosinase activity to 17.93 ± 2.65%, performing better than kojic acid, the positive control. In parallel, the extract from brown A. bisporus, at the highest concentration tested, has appreciable anti-inflammatory activity through reductions of NO and TNF-α levels. The other 5 extracts showed moderate antimelanogenesis and anti-inflammatory activities. In summary, our findings show that A. bisporus (brown) extract has the potential to be used as an ingredient in whitening skincare products and to sooth the inflammatory response on the skin.

Topics: Agaricales; Agaricus; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Basidiomycota; Cell Line, Tumor; Cosmetics; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal; Ganoderma; Interleukin-10; Macrophages; Malaysia; Melanins; Melanoma; Mice; Nitric Oxide; Pleurotus; Polyporaceae; RAW 264.7 Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Melanoma is a lethal skin cancer that occurs predominantly among Caucasians. In Malaysia, the incidence of melanoma is low. This is a retrospective study of clinical and histopathological features of patients with cutaneous melanoma who were seen at the University Malaya Medical Centre from 1998 to 2008. Thirty-two patients with cutaneous melanoma were recorded during that period. Of these, 24 had sought treatment at the onset of disease at our centre. Chinese patients constituted the largest group (19 cases). The median age of these 24 patients at the time of presentation was 62 years. 16 patients had melanoma involving the lower limb with 12 affecting the sole of the foot. None had melanoma arising from the face. Histopathology showed nodular melanoma in 22 cases (91.6%), with superficial spreading and acral lentiginous melanoma diagnosed in 1 case each. The majority of patients (62.5%) were found to be in Stage III of the disease at the time of diagnosis.

Topics: Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Malaysia; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Staging; Retrospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms; Survival Rate; Tertiary Care Centers

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is classified among the ten most frequent cancers in Malaysia. A common polymorphism at codon 72 of the p53 tumor suppressor gene and its influence on cancer risk has been studied for different types of cancer with mixed and inconsistent results with limited published data on the Malaysian population so far. In the present study, the frequency of p53 codon 72 polymorphism in 60 patients with NMSC was investigated from archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue obtained from Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM). Additionally, random amplified polymorhic DNA -polymorphic chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) was employed for preliminary biomarker development. NMSC FFPE samples (70%) possess Arg/Arg, 20% with Pro/Pro and 10% with Arg/Pro. In total, there was no significant difference in the p53 codon 72 genotypes between histological types of NMSC, gender, race, tumor location and age group. However, there was an apparent age-associated increase in the Arg/Arg genotype but did not reach statistical significance (P=0.235). NMSC types and demographic characteristics did not influence genotype distribution. On the other hand, BCC and SCC distributions are influenced by age group, race and tumor location.

Topics: Adult; DNA Mutational Analysis; Female; Formaldehyde; Genes, p53; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Paraffin Embedding; Polymorphism, Genetic; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique; Skin Neoplasms

Acral melanoma involve the non-pigmented palmoplantar and subungual areas and are commonly seen among Asians. Patients commonly display advanced stage of disease at presentation. It may appear unnoticed and mimic benign lesions.. Data for this retrospective study was retrieved from Histopathology Unit, Sarawak General Hospital, Malaysia archive from 2003 to 2009.. 62.3% cases of malignant melanoma were acral melanoma. The mean age of diagnosis was 64.3 +/- 12.1. The involved sites were the heel (39.4%), middle and frontal plantar area (24.2%), toe (24.2%) and web spaces (9.1%). The clinical presentations were; an enlarging mass (60.6%), non-healing ulcer (24.2%) and abnormal pigmented lesion (15.2%). Most cases exhibited Breslow thickness >4.00 mm (87.9%) and Clark's levels V (50%). The majority showed moderate (non brisk) tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (57.6%). Ulceration (84.8%) and lymphovascular involvement were seen (24.2%).. Acral melanoma is the commonest malignant melanoma in this Sarawakian cohort. Most of the cases presented with advanced stage disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Extremities; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Retrospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms

Malignant melanoma in particular is one of the few remaining cancers with an increasing incidence.. The objective of this study is to explore the perceptions and opinions of young Malaysians towards skin cancer prevention.. Focus group discussions were conducted among 33 medical science students from Management and Science University (MSU), Shah Alam, Malaysia, using convenience sampling. Students were divided into 4 focus groups consisting of 8, 8, 9 and 8 students respectively. The facilitator wrote down the conversations and data obtained were classified into various categories and analyzed manually.. The majority of the participants mentioned that overexposure to ultraviolet light is the commonest cause of skin cancer but also that the most benefit we get from sun ight is vitamin D synthesis. The majority mentioned that the best prevention measure for skin cancer is using a sunscreen, followed by limit exposure to the sun.. The present study demonstrated there is a lack of knowledge regarding screening methods and prevention measures of skin cancer. Therefore, there is a need to establish health education unit in all universities to educate all university students regarding various health problems including skin cancer prevention.

Topics: Adult; Female; Focus Groups; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Melanoma; Perception; Qualitative Research; Skin Neoplasms; Students, Medical; Sunlight; Sunscreening Agents; Ultraviolet Rays; Universities; Young Adult

Four cases of anorectal melanoma are presented. The authors believe that this is the first report of the occurrence of this tumour in Malays. Advanced disease at initial presentation accounts for the poor prognosis observed in this series. Surgery remains the principal treatment modality, although controversy exists regarding optimal extent of resection.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anus Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; Rectal Neoplasms

Malignant melanoma is common among the whites of South Africa. In the black population, the tumor is much less frequent and occurs predominantly on the lower limb--particularly the sole of the foot. This study brings to light the anomalous situation that among the Eur-African-Malay population (those of mixed ancestry), malignant melanoma has probably the lowest incidence in the world.

Topics: Adult; Africa; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Europe; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Melanoma; Middle Aged; South Africa

Topics: Climate; Erythema; Humans; Malaysia; Melanoma; Ozone; Ultraviolet Rays

The second case of Sarcocystis infection in man is reported from an aborigine girl. It was an incidental finding at autopsy and two cysts were seen in the muscle of the oropharyngeal region. The cysts and zoites were similar to those in the previous case reported from Malaysia.

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Child; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Melanoma; Nasopharynx; Pharynx; Sarcocystis; Sarcocystosis

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Ethnicity; Eye Diseases; Eye Injuries; Eye Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Malaysia; Male; Melanoma; Retinoblastoma