Cancer Flashcards
what are the hallmarks of cancer
resisting cell death sustaining proliferative signalling evading growth suppressors activating invasion and metastasis enabling replicative immortality inducing angiogenesis
what is a major carinogen related to skin cancer
ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
what effects does UV have
damages DNA and causes mutations
which UV light is more dangerous
UVB
which UV light is more prevalent
UVA
what is the UV signature mutation
pyrimidine dimer
what is the principle carcinogen of UV
UVB 290-320nm
how does the different UV lights cause damage
UVB causes direct DNA damage
UVA causes indirect oxidative damage
UVR is immunosuppressive - true or false
true
why has there been an increase in non-melanoma skin cancer
cheap air travel
sun seeking behaviour
ageing population
what are cutaneous precursors for SCC
actinic keratoses
what are risk factors for skin cancer
sunlight sunburn in childhood sun exposure genetic susceptibility chemicals age immunosuppression HPV
who are skin type 1
Very fair skin/redheads/blondes
what is different about those with skin type 1
Pheomelanin instead of eumelanin
Pheomelanin absorbs UV less efficiently
Unable to “tan” in a protective way
what are signs that you cannot tan
freckles solar lentigines (freckles across the shoulders)
what can increase melanoma risk by 4-fold
childhood sunburn
- genetic disease
- defect in enzyme
- causes increased photosensitivity
Xeroderma Pigmentosum
what skin cancers are suffers of Xeroderma Pigmentosum susceptible to
AKs BCC SCC Melanoma Fibrosarcoma
what is Oculocutaneous albinism
form of albinism involving the eyes, skin and hair
what are the major features of Gorlin’s syndrome/Naevoid basal cell carcinoma
early onset/multiple BCCs
palmar pits
jaw cysts
skeletal abnormality
what is Gorlin’s syndrome due to
germline mutation in PTCH gene - leads to hedgehog signalling
molecular drivers of BCC
Genetically homogenous tumour; aberrant hedgehog signalling, involvement PTCH
what mutations are common early on in skin cancer
TP52 mutations
what is a hereditary type IV collagen deficiency
Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Nullosa
examples of phytotoxic drugs
Voriconazole Thiazide diuretics NSAIDs Anti-TNF Azathioprine
what are precancerous skin conditions
actinic keratoses
viral warts
what skin cancer does HPV associate with
SCC
what is the treatment for premalignant structures
cryotherapy
surgery
topical agents
photodynamic therapy
what is the most common cancer in 15-24 year olds
melanoma
what does melanoma survival depends on
tumour depth
thin melanomas have the worst prognosis - t or f
false
thin melanomas are cured
the deeper the tumour the worst the prognosis
what is the rule for melanomas
A – Asymmetry B – Border (regular or irregular) C – Colour (darker, unsafer) D – Diameter (increasing in size?) E – Evolution (has it changed)