Our results suggest that podoplanin expression by CAFs could be an unfavourable prognostic marker for IDC.

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Purpose High intensity focused ultrasound operating at 20 MHz has been demonstrated as a safe and efficient treatment modality for a range of dermatological indications. The method is potentially also applicable to removal of seborrheic keratosis. Patients and Methods A total of 54 seborrheic keratoses in 11 volunteer subjects (8 women and 3 men, average age 51.5 ± 13.2 years) were treated in a single session with a medical 20 MHz high intensity focused ultrasound device developed for dermatological conditions. Handpieces with nominal focal depths of 0.8 mm below the skin surface were used to administer acoustic energy of 0.99–1.2 J/dose. An integrated dermoscope in the handpiece was used to monitor the treatment in real-time. Treatment efficacy and side-effects were assessed directly after treatment and at follow-up 4–15 weeks after treatment. Results The treatment showed positive results in 96.3% of the cases. About 68.5% of the cases were classified as complete response and 27.8% of the cases as partial response. Two cases (3.7%) did not respond to treatment and were classified as stable condition. No subjects experienced worsening of their condition, and no treatment received the classification of progressive condition. Side effects were primarily redness in the treatment area due to superficial telangiectasia, mild scarring, and persisting and slow-healing lichen planus-like keratosis. No adverse events were observed. Conclusion HIFU is concluded to be a safe and efficient skin treatment for seborrheic keratoses. It has advantages over conventional treatments that can lead to pain during treatment and scarring after healing.

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Condylomata acuminata is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. Physical treatments include excision, cryotherapy, electrocautery and ablative CO₂, and Nd:YAG laser ablation, while topical treatments include imiquimod immunotherapy and antimitotic podophyllotoxin or sinecatechins. Efficacies of all methods are low, and recurrences are very common. A new combined method is presented as a single case in a 25-year-old male patient diagnosed with numerous condylomas on the penis, scrotum, and lower abdomen. The treatment consisted of a 7-week topical monotherapy using 5% imiquimod cream followed by local treatment with 20 MHz high-intensity focused ultrasound on remaining recalcitrant lesions. Results showed resolution of approximately 70% of the condylomas after imiquimod treatment, and full resolution of all recalcitrant condylomas treated subsequently with high-intensity focused ultrasound. The method is concluded to be safe and effective and, furthermore, presents a new physical method that does not generate airborne infectious human papillomavirus particles that pose a health risk for the medical team performing therapy. Further studies in larger populations are recommended to confirm the combined efficacy of the proposed method.