Comparison of Laser Versus Sclerotherapy in the Treatment of Lower Extremity Telangiectases: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND Lower extremity telangiectasia affects approximately 40% of women. The demand for aesthetic treatment of these veins continues to grow. Few studies have compared laser and sclerotherapy to treat leg telangiectasias. OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of conventional sclerotherapy and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in the treatment of leg telangiectasias. METHODS AND MATERIALS Thirty women were enrolled in the study. One leg was randomly assigned laser treatment and the other sclerotherapy with 75% glucose solution. All patients were photographed before and after treatment. The applying physician and two independent observers rated photographic improvement of the treated areas. Complications and adverse effects were noted during follow-up. Patients answered a questionnaire that addressed pain, clearing of the vessels, and satisfaction with the results. RESULTS There was a significant difference between the modes of treatment regarding pain. Twelve patients using laser and 16 using sclerotherapy considered the clearing of the vessels to be good to excellent after three sessions of both laser and scleratherapy. Mean scores after photographic assessment were 7.9 for laser and 7.0 for sclerotherapy. CONCLUSION Lower extremity telangiectases may be treated equally well using Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser or conventional sclerotherapy.

DNA repair mechanisms protect our genome from carcinogenesis

Human cells are constantly exposed to DNA damage. Without repair, damage can result in genetic instability and eventually cancer. The strong association between the lack of DNA damage repair, mutations and cancer is dramatically demonstrated by a number of cancer-prone human syndromes, such as xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) and Fanconi anemia (FA). This review focuses on the historical discoveries related with these three diseases and describes their impact on the understanding of DNA repair mechanisms and the causes of human cancer. As deficiencies in DNA repair are also often related with progeria symptoms, unrepaired damage and aging are somehow related. Several other pathologies associated with DNA repair defects, genetic instability and increased cancer risk are also discussed. In fact, studies with cells from these many syndromes have helped in understanding important levels of protection against cancer and aging, although little help has actually been conferred to the patients in terms of therapy. Finally, the recent advances in combined basic and translational research on DNA repair and chemotherapy are presented.