Clarissa Brincat

All articles by Clarissa Brincat

• DXA bone scans may miss fracture risk in SM

  A scan called DXA, which is used to measure bone mineral density, does not always correctly show the risk of fractures in SM.

• Case report: Hidden SM discovered after genetic testing of skin cancer

  A 67-year-old man with returning melanoma was found to have SM after genetic testing on his tumor showed unusual results.

• New review highlights need for proactive care in SM-related bone disease

  In systemic mastocytosis, mast cells release substances that disturb the normal balance of bone health and can lead to osteoporosis.

• Blood enzyme spike during anaphylaxis may reveal hidden SM

  Measuring levels of a chemical in the blood called diamine oxidase during anaphylaxis could help doctors diagnose patients with hidden SM.

• New trial seeks to learn more about indolent SM

  A new clinical trial published on ClinicalTrials.gov is underway to better understand how indolent SM affects people and how it is managed. 

• SM associated with greater flare severity than CM

  Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is associated with more severe symptom flares than cutaneous mastocytosis (CM), according to a recent study.

• Study identifies previously unknown side effects from epinephrine

  A recent study identified previously unknown side effects from epinephrine, a treatment carried by many with SM.

• Indolent systemic mastocytosis may speed up aging

  Indolent SM may cause the body to age faster than normal, according to a recent study published in the journal Innovation in Aging.

• Mastocytosis increases risk of serious reactions to insect stings

  There is a strong link between mastocytosis and serious allergic reactions to insect stings, especially from insects like bees and wasps.

• Review explores signs and treatment of SM in children

  When children develop small, uniform reddish-brown spots or bumps on their back, belly, or limbs, it may be a sign of SM.