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Anorectal mucosal melanoma (AMM) is an infrequent and highly aggressive form of mucosal melanoma. Its rarity makes it challenging to clinically diagnose, and its initial symptoms are typically nonspecific such as rectal/anal bleeding (the most common symptom), anal pain, or the presence of an anal mass. The prognosis for this condition is generally poor, and its incidence appears to be increasing each year. AMMs often go undetected and/or are already metastasized at the time of diagnosis. We present a case report of a patient who initially presented with nonspecific symptoms of anemia and blood per rectum, and was later found to have stage IV melanoma of the anorectal region. There is a notable scarcity of literature on this disease, resulting in a lack of a comprehensive understanding of its nature. Most available information consists of isolated case reports rather than comprehensive studies. Although surgical resection remains the primary treatment approach, the majority of patients (over 80%) will die due to distant metastasis within five years after undergoing surgery. The five-year survival rate for anorectal melanoma is estimated to be between 6% and 22%., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Amoako-Teming et al.)

This study explores the application of machine learning and deep learning algorithms to facilitate the accurate diagnosis of melanoma, a type of malignant skin cancer, and benign nevi. Leveraging a dataset of 793 dermatological images from the Kaggle online platform (Google LLC, Mountain View, California, United States), we developed a model that can accurately differentiate between these lesions based on their distinctive features. The dataset was divided into training (80%), validation (10%), and testing (10%) sets to optimize model performance and ensure its generalizability. Our findings demonstrate the potential of machine learning algorithms in enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of melanoma and nevi detection, with the developed model exhibiting robust performance metrics. Nonetheless, limitations exist due to the potential lack of comprehensive representation of melanoma and nevi cases in the dataset, and variations in image quality and acquisition methods, which may influence the model's performance in real-world clinical settings. Therefore, further research, validation studies, and integration into clinical practice are necessary to ensure the reliability and generalizability of these models. This study underscores the promise of artificial intelligence in advancing dermatologic diagnostics, aiming to improve patient outcomes by supporting early detection and treatment initiation for melanoma., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Riazi Esfahani et al.)

Primary malignant melanoma of the small intestine is rare and infrequent. However, the small bowel is a relatively common metastatic destination for cutaneous melanoma. Given the fact that primary small intestinal melanoma is a controversial and rare diagnosis, we present a case in which the initial finding suggested a primary tumor. However, the patient was later diagnosed with a small left thigh melanoma after the diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of the small bowel was established. As a result, we emphasize that all primary small intestinal melanoma must be thoroughly investigated for an alternative primary lesion. Additionally, we question if the diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of the small bowel needs to be re-classified as small bowel melanoma of unknown primary, especially in cases in which the primary lesion is unidentified., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Galindo et al.)

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically impacted healthcare provision in the UK and skin cancer services have had to adapt to ensure continuity of safe care. As we return to "normality" we reflect on lessons learned and the impact of the pandemic on skin cancer services. We looked at data on Public Health Scotland Dashboard, which compiles data from 14 local health boards across Scotland, comparing melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer diagnoses during the years 2020 and 2019 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic). We looked at skin cancer cases within the North Cancer Alliance (NCA) and all of Scotland. Within the NCA, 518 cases of melanoma were diagnosed in 2019, compared to 429 in 2020. Within Scotland, 1950 cases of melanoma were diagnosed in 2019, compared to 1605 in 2020. In 2019, 5103 non-melanoma skin cancer cases were diagnosed in NCA, compared to 4071 in 2020. In Scotland, 21,626 non-melanoma skin cancer cases were diagnosed in 2019, compared to 16,193 in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on skin cancer care within the NCA and the whole of Scotland. A significantly lower number of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer cases have been diagnosed within the NCA and in Scotland in 2020 compared to 2019. The trend is similar between NCA and other areas of Scotland. We must raise awareness of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer to improve timely presentation of patients during a global health crisis and a multidisciplinary approach is needed to address this problem., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Makaranka et al.)

This is a case report of new-onset bullous pemphigoid after the initiation of nivolumab for melanoma. Bullous pemphigoid is a rare immune-mediated adverse effect of nivolumab, with fewer than a hundred cases described. The patient initially developed a rash, which later progressed to respiratory symptoms, prompting the discontinuation of nivolumab. He was started on oral steroids, which improved his symptoms. However, while being tapered off the steroids, his rash reoccurred with the development of bullous pemphigoid. The diagnosis was confirmed by increased eosinophils and sub-epidermal vesicle formation compatible with bullous pemphigoid on skin biopsy. The patient was treated with steroids, mycophenolate, doxycycline, and niacinamide with significant improvement in his symptoms., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Gotera et al.)

Background Seasonality of diagnosis occurs in many types of cancer and is well-established in non-melanoma (NMSC) and melanoma (MSC) skin cancers. Benign skin conditions have also been shown to demonstrate a similar seasonality pattern. Investigations into the seasonality of NMSC and MSC diagnoses are less common than benign skin conditions despite the high healthcare burden of the disease. In this study, we investigated if seasonality and monthly patterns of NMSC and MSC diagnoses are present in Eastern North Carolina. Methodology We observed and analyzed incident cancer diagnoses for patients visiting the Physicians East Dermatology clinic in Greenville, North Carolina, from 1983 to 2017 (n = 8,021 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), n = 5,660 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), n = 451 MSCs, n = 14,132 total). Results Chi-square tests showed the highest rates of diagnosis for BCCs in August (9.85%), September (9.62%), and October (10.0%). For SCCs, the diagnosis rates were the highest in July (8.62%), August (9.63%), and October (9.58%). For MSCs, the diagnosis rates were the highest in May (9.98%), June (10.2%), and July (10.4%). Analysis of the differences between observed skin cancer diagnoses by month and equal distribution across all months in the event of no seasonality revealed peaks of skin cancer diagnoses corresponding to July through October for BCCs; July, August, and October for SCCs; and May through September for MSCs. Analysis of the patterns of diagnosis of this data over 34 years illustrated a continuously increasing pattern of diagnosis for all three cancer subtypes from 1983 to 2017. Conclusions This study identified a statistically significant pattern of seasonality in both NMSCs and MSCs, which was consistent with the findings of previous studies. Moving forward, further research should investigate the roles of temperature, quantified ultraviolet exposure, and geographic location and their relationships to seasonality., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Samia et al.)