Ch 5, 4 Homeostatic Imbalances of skin: skin Cancer

Question 1

skin cancer

Answer 1

most skin tumors are benign (do not metastasize)
risk factors
-overexposure to UV radiation
-frequent irritation of skin
some skin lotions contain enzymes in liposomes that can fix damaged DNA

Question 2

Basal call carcinoma

Answer 2

least malignant, most common
stratum basale cells proliferate and slowly invade dermis and hypodermis
cured by surgical excision in 99% of cases

Question 3

squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 3

second most common
involves keratinocytes of stratum spinosum
most common on scalp, ears, lower lip and hands
good prognosis if treated by radiation therapy or removed surgically

Question 4

melanoma

Answer 4

most dangerous
involves melanocytes
highly metastatic and resistant to chemo
treated by wide surgical excision accompanied by immunotherapy

Question 5

melanoma characteristics (ABCD rule)

Answer 5

asymmetry, the 2 sides of the pigmented area do not match
border exhibits indentations
color is black, brown, tan and sometimes red or blue
diameter is larger than 6 mm (size of a pencil erasor)