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Background: Dermatological health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), often affected by skin cancer, has been insufficiently explored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of skin cancer on quality of life (QoL) in SOTRs and to compare HRQoL measures between SOTRs with and without skin cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study (June 2023–March 2024) assessed adult SOTRs using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Skindex-29 questionnaires. For SOTRs with keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), the Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Quality of Life (BaSQoL) questionnaire was also administered. Results: A total of 150 adult SOTRs were included, with 82 having developed post-transplant skin cancer, including melanoma and KCs. DLQI scores were higher in SOTRs with skin cancer, however, the difference was not statistically significant (P ≥ 0.065). SOTRs with skin cancer had higher total Skindex-29 scores (P = 0.012) and "emotion" subscale scores (P = 0.0049), indicating a negative impact on QoL. BaSQoL scores showed a moderate negative effect on QoL, with a higher number of KCs correlating with lower QoL (P < 0.05). Female gender was associated with higher DLQI and BaSQoL diagnosis and treatment scores (P < 0.05). Conclusions: SOTRs with skin cancer had lower QoL, with greater cancer burden linked to worse outcomes. Female gender was also associated with lower QoL. Tailored management strategies are crucial for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveNonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a common malignancy that starts in the top layer of the skin. Exposure to heavy metals has been suggested to increase the risk of skin cancer. Cadmium, prevalent in various industries and present in cigarette smoke, has been implicated in potential skin effects in animal studies. However, the impact of chronic cadmium exposure on NMSC development remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood cadmium levels and the odds of NMSC.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, covering the years 1999–2000 to 2017–2018. NMSC cases were identified through self-reported physician diagnoses. We assessed the association between blood cadmium levels—considered as both a continuous variable and in quartiles—and the odds of NMSC using multivariable logistic regression models. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were incorporated to estimate the non-linear relationship between cadmium levels and NMSC.ResultsThe study included 41,577 participants, with 952 reporting NMSC and 40,625 without any cancers. No association was found between cadmium levels and NMSC when analyzed as either a continuous or quartile variable. However, RCS revealed an inverted U-shaped curve indicating a relationship between blood cadmium levels and NMSC odds. This pattern persisted when focusing exclusively on non-Hispanic White participants.ConclusionA statistically significant relationship was observed between blood cadmium levels and the odds of NMSC, though the increased odds were only evident at low cadmium levels. Further research is necessary to investigate the causality and underlying mechanisms involved.

There has been a trend In the United States of both consolidation and corporatization of solo and small practices into larger groups. Many of these larger groups are owned by either hospital consortiums or private equity. Such larger practices often have their own Mohs surgeon to whom general dermatologists within these corporatized dermatology practices (CDP) have been mandated to refer surgical patients. The ethics of these requisite referrals raises concerns about physician autonomy and whether patient care or profit is the primary motivator., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare that they have no commercial or other associations that might pose a conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.)