Common Skin Cancers Flashcards
What is the most common cause of cancer?
Skin cancer
What is the most common subtype of basal cell carcinoma?
Nodular
Where do basal cell carcinomas arise?
The lowest layer of the epidermis from pluripotents cells
What mutation causes basal cell carcinoma?
Mutations in the hedgehog pathway most commonly in the patched 1 gene (tumor suppressor gene) which inhibits smoothened.
Do basal cell carcinomas readily metastasize?
They very rarely do.
What is the treatment for BCC?
Bismodegib, a small molecular inhibitor of smoothened
What pre-malignant skin lesion gives rise to approximately 65% of squamous cell carcinomas and 36% BCC?
Actinic keratosis
What is used to treat actinic keratosis?
cryogenic surgery, topical treatments and phototherapy
What is the second most common cutaneous malignancy?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What are the three subtypes of squamous cell carcinoma?
- Bowen’s disease
- Keratoacanthoma
- Invasive squamous cell carcinoma
What is Bowen’s Disease?
It is a subtype of SCC. Found on the anal and genital skin. Linked to human papilloma virus.
Where is Bowen’s disease found?
Epidermis
What is a keratoacanthoma?
Solitary lesion that develops quickly of 6-8 weeks it is 1-3 cm keratin filled central crater
SCC found where are characterized by more metastasis?
Lip
What type of skin cancer is more common in immunocompromised patients: BCC or SCC?
SCC
What does ABCDE stand for in malignant melanoma guidelines?
A= asymmetry B= border C= color D= Diameter 6mm E= Evolution
Are females or males at higher risk for developing NMSC?
Females
What is the distribution of melanoma in males?
Back
What is the distribution of melanoma in females?
Back and legs
What is the most common clinical variant for MM?
Superficial spreading
What is the most important indicator of prognosis for all subtypes of melanoma?
Breslow depth
What is Breslow depth?
The maximal thickness of tumor invasion
What is the prognosis for a Breslow depth of 4mm?
Poor prognosis
What are the Clark levels?
Level I- Stays in the epidermis Level II- Begun to invade upper dermis Level II- Involves most of the upper dermis Level IV- Reached lower dermis Level V- Invading subQ
What genetic mutation leads to melanoma?
BRAF
What is the treatment for melanoma?
Vemurafenib which is a BRAF inhibitor
Where does the malignancy in Kaposi’s sarcoma occur?
Endothelium
What is Kaposi’s sarcoma triggered by?
HHV-8
What are the three clinical subtypes of Kaposi’s Sarcoma?
- Classic (Eastern European descent)
- Lympadenopathic (Aggressive, Equatorial Africa, and rapidly fatal in young men)
- AIDS
What are four forms of therapy for Kaposi’s Sarcoma?
- Radiation Therapy
- Excision
- Interferon Alpha
- Chemotherapy
