Footprints of the EADV: A Meeting Report from the 17th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

The 17th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, which took place in September 2008, was a significant event with nearly 11,000 attendees and over 1,700 poster presentations. The congress covered a variety of dermatological topics, including the reclassification of dysplastic naevi, the concept of melanoma cancer stem cells, and new treatments for melanoma such as immunotherapy and apoptosis inducers. Hair loss was a notable topic, with a laser comb treatment for androgenic alopecia showing promising results in a trial of 186 patients. Other subjects included effective management strategies for vitiligo, safe medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding for pregnancy dermatoses, the systemic nature of psoriasis, and the reduced melanoma risk in atopic dermatitis patients. New treatments for hand dermatitis and acne were also discussed, with alitretinoin for hand dermatitis and the importance of maintenance treatment for acne being highlighted. The conference concluded with an emphasis on the evolving expectations in dermatological treatments, the need for earlier treatment of dysplastic lesions, and the importance of addressing dermatological conditions with a lack of evidence-based treatments.