Updates from the British Association of Dermatologists 91st Annual Meeting, 5-7 July 2011, London, UK

At the 2011 British Association of Dermatologists Annual Meeting, significant topics in dermatology were discussed, including melanoma genetics, therapies for metastatic melanoma, and the diagnosis and management of atypical Spitz naevi. Professor Hensin Tsao presented on the identification of melanoma risk alleles and new drug therapies based on melanoma metastatic tissue analysis. Current therapies for metastatic melanoma, such as imatinib and vemurafenib, were reviewed, along with the issue of secondary resistance. Dr. E. Kulakov addressed the prognosis and management of atypical Spitz naevi. A study on photoadaptation in psoriasis patients treated with narrowband ultraviolet B suggested that it is mainly due to physical factors. Increased rates of inappropriate referrals for suspected skin cancers during spring and summer were noted. The successful treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with imiquimod was reported. Other topics included nickel allergy in hand dermatitis, sodium metabisulphite allergy, and the importance of testing for isothiazolinones. Professor An Goossens concluded the meeting with a lecture on the importance of patch testing in children for allergic contact dermatitis.