39b. Benign and malignant skin lesions Flashcards
Assessment of pigmented lesions for red flags for melanoma
ABCDE for pigmented lesions - red flags for melanoma:
For superficial melanomas — ABCDE signs
A: Asymmetry of shape and colour
B: Border irregularity, including smudgy or ill-defined margin
C: Colour variation and change
D: Different (formerly diameter)
E: Evolving (enlarging, changing)
Melanomas may not conform to the ‘ABCD’ rule alone. For nodular melanomas, also consider the EFG signs
E: Elevated
F: Firm to touch
G: Growing
what scoring system for pigmented skin lesions is used by GPs to know when to warrant referrals
Glasgow 7 point weighted checklist (3 or more indicates referral)
what is Glasgow 7 point weighted checklist?
Major features (2 points)
Change in size of lesion (G)
Irregular pigmentation ©
Irregular border (B)
Minor features (1 point)
Inflammation
Itch or altered sensation
Larger than other lesions (diameter >7mm) (D)
Oozing/crusting of lesion
4 Ss for non-pigmented lesions
Site
Size
Shape
Surrounding skin
what % of melanoma aarise from moles
20-30% of melanomas are found in existing moles
70-80% arise on normal looking skin
Most common type of melanoma
Superficial spreading
most aggressive form of melanoma? presentation
Nodular melanoma
Red or black lump or lump which bleeds or oozes
plan ?melanoma
- excision biopsy
- re-excision of margins if required / Sentinel node biopsy
Immunotherapy and BRAF stuff used in some cases
what is the single most important factor in determining prognosis of patients with malignant melanoma
The invasion depth of a tumour (Breslow depth)
features of basal cell carcinoma
Slowly growing plaque or nodule
Skin coloured, pink or pigmented, often shiny or pearly
Rolled edges
Telangiectasia
Ulceration and spontaneous bleeding
rf for BCC
routine rf: lesion that raises the suspicion of a BCC
2ww: lesion that raises the suspicion of a BCC with a particular concern that a delay may have a significant impact due to site or size
high risk factors BCC
High risk site : near eyes etc
Large size >2cm
Morpheic
Poorly defined
management bcc
Surgery
Radiotherapy sensitive if surgery not an option
most important RF SCC
Chronic UVR exposure
presentation SCC
indurated nodular keratinising or crusted tumour that may ulcerate, or it may present as an ulcer without evidence of keratinisation
red flags for SCC
Rapid growth
Raised base
May ulcerate and/or bleed
May be painful
plan ?SCC
2ww rf
Surgical excision with 4mm margins if lesion <20mm in diameter. If tumour >20mm then margins should be 6mm.
Mohs micrographic surgery may be used in high-risk patients and in cosmetically important sites.
presentation actinic keratosis
Erythema, scaling, on sun exposed areas
DO NOT HAVE ANY
Red flags:
Rapid growth
Raised base
May ulcerate and/or bleed
May be painful
presentation bowens disease
slowly enlarging erythematous scaly plaques,
DO NOT HAVE ANY
Red flags:
Rapid growth
Raised base
May ulcerate and/or bleed
May be painful
management of pre-squamous disorders (actinic keratosis and bowens)
5-fluorouracil cream (Efudix)
cryotherapy
what are warts caused by?
HPV
Types 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 27 and 57 are most often implicated in the aetiology of cutaneous warts
Management of cutaneous warts
- no treatment (they will resolve without)
- Topical salicylic acid
Daily treatment for at least 12 weeks is required. - Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen every two weeks until the wart has gone (up to four months)
presentation seborrhoeic keratosis
Flat or raised papule or plaque
1 mm to several cm in diameter
Skin coloured, yellow, grey, light brown, dark brown, black or mixed colours
Smooth, waxy or warty surface
Solitary or grouped in certain areas, such as within the scalp, under the breasts, over the spine or in the groin
They appear to stick on to the skin surface like barnacles.