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*Dermatology > Benign Skin Lesions > Flashcards

Benign Skin Lesions Flashcards

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Dermatology Board Prep flashcards
1
Q

Describe the appearance of seborrhoeic keratoses?

A

Warty growths - ‘stuck on’ appearance

Patients often have multiple cherry angiomas

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2
Q

Management for seborrhoeic keratoses?

A

Generally left untreated

If troublesome - cryotherapy, curettage

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3
Q

What is cryotherapy?

A

Liquid nitrogen applied to lesion

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4
Q

Pros and cons of cryotherapy?

A

Pros: cheap, easy to perform on day
Cons: can scar, failure/recurrence, no histology

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5
Q

What is the ‘Sign of Leser-Trelat’? What does it indicate?

A

Abrupt onset of widespread seborrhoeic keratosis, particularly in youth
SKs remain benign but may indicate underlying solid organ malignancy (GI adenocarcinoma)

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6
Q

What virus causes viral warts? What do they look like?

A

Human Papilloma Virus

Rough, hyperkeratotic

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7
Q

How are viral warts treated?

A

Difficult to treat
Will clear when immunity to virus develops
Cryotherapy/wart paints
Curette if severe

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8
Q

What is a cyst?

A

Encapsulated lesion containing fluid or semi-fluid material; firm + fluctuant

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9
Q

Try to name some types of cyst

A 
Epiermoid cyst 
Pilar cyst 
Steatocystoma (genetic; isotretinoin)
Dermoid cyst 
Hidrocystoma
Ganglion cyst
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10
Q

What is the risk associated with cysts?

A

Can rupture and cause inflammation of surrounding skin; may become infected

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11
Q

How are cysts treated?

A

Treated with excision

If inflamed/infection - abx, intralesional steroid, incision + drainage

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12
Q

What is a dermatofibroma?

A

Benign fibrous nodule, often on limbs

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13
Q

Cause of dermatofibroma?

A

Cause unknown; sometimes trauma

Proliferation of fibroblasts

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14
Q

How does a dermatofibroma present?

A

Firm nodule, tethered to skin but mobile over fat
Pale pink/brown; paler in centre
Usually asymptomatic (can be itchy/tender)
Dimple sign +ve

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15
Q

How is dermatofibroma managed?

A

Excised if concern or asymptomatic

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16
Q

What is a lipoma?

A

Benign tumour of fat cells

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17
Q

Cause of lipoma?

A

Cause unknown, but a common lesion

18
Q

How does a lipoma present?

A

Smooth + rubbery subcutaneous mass

Usually asymptomatic

19
Q

What can it mean if a lipoma is tender?

A

Possible angiolipoma or liposarcoma (rare malignancy)

20
Q

What is an angioma?

A

Overgrowth of blood vessels in the skin due to proliferating endothelial cells

21
Q

How do angiomas present?

A

Generally asymptomatic

Can be unsightly/bleed

22
Q

In what conditions are angiomas more likely to occur?

A

Pregnancy

Liver disease

23
Q

How are angiomas dealt with?

A

Excision or laser

24
Q

What is a pyogenic granuloma?

A

Rapidly enlarging red/raw growth, often at site of trauma

25
Q

What are features of pyogenic granulomas?

A 
Bleed easily 
Common on head and hands
Red/raw
Occur ~5% pregnancies
Unknown cause
26
Q

How are pyogenic granulomas dealt with?

A

Removed by curettage and cautery

27
Q

Name 3 pre-malignant lesions

A

Actinic keratoses
Bowen’s disease
Melanoma in situ

28
Q

What are actinic keratoses?

A

Rough scaly patches on sun damaged skin

29
Q

What is there a risk of developing form actinic keratoses?

A

SCC

30
Q

How are actinic keratoses treated?

A

Cryotherapy
Curettage
Diclofenac gel
Imiquimod

31
Q

What is Bowen’s disease?

A

SCC in situ

32
Q

What is the appearance of Bowen’s disease?

A

Full thickness dysplasia, entirely contained in epidermis

Irregular, scaly erythematous plaque

33
Q

What is the potential of Bowen’s disease?

A

Potential to become malignant (~5%)

No metastatic potential

34
Q

How is Bowens treated?

A

Cryotherapy
Curettage (lesion scraped off and heat applied to seal vessels and destroy residual cancer cells)
Photodynamic therapy
Imiquimod

35
Q

What is photodynamic therapy?

A

Photochemical reaction to selectively destroy cancer cells

36
Q

Process of photodynamic therapy?

A

Topical photosensitising agent applied - concentrates in cancerous cells
Red light applied
Photodynamic reaction occurs

37
Q

What is imiquimod - how does it work? (aka Aldara)

A

Cream

Immune response modifier which stimulates cytokine release leading to inflammation and destruction of lesion

38
Q

Pros and cons of imiquimod?

A

Pros: useful where surgery is undesirable; usually good cosmetic result

Cons: treatment time ~6 weeks; significant inflammation; failure/recurrence

39
Q

What is melanoma in situ?

A

Melanoma cells entirely confined to epidermis

No metastatic potential

40
Q

How is melanoma in situ dealt with?

A

Excision

41
Q

What is essential to try and avoid development of these pre-malignant skin lesions?

A

Sun protection - SPF, cover up, avoid sunbeds etc

*Dermatology (11 decks)

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