Derm - SK, AK, and Skin Cancer - Exam 1 Flashcards
What is curettage?
Scraping the skin away with a curette (a ring-shaped instrument)
What is electrodessication?
High-frequency current is applied to the lesion, destroying the tissue by drying it out
What is cryotherapy?
Tissue is destroyed by freezing to -40°C or below using liquid nitrogen
What are the benefits of treatment with an excisional biopsy?
- Less expensive unless reoccurrence
- Faster
- More providers can offer treatment
What are the benefits of treating with Mohs surgery?
- Complete margin analysis
- Higher cure rates
- Sparing of normal tissue
What are the cons of treating with Mohs surgery?
- Higher cost
- Longer appointment
- Subspecialist
How is the tissue examined in Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) and what benefit does this provide?
Tumor margins are assessed in office to maximize tissue conservation; lowers recurrence rates
What are the 3 primary indications for Mohs surgery?
- Recurrent tumors
- Tumors > 0.6cm on the face or > 2.0cm on the body/ extremities
- High risk anatomic locations (eyelids, nose, ears, lips, genitalia, fingers)
What is the process used in Mohs surgery?
First thin layer removed (removing visible lesion on skin) then additional layers removed until all cancer is removed
What is a solar lentigo?
A local proliferation of melanocytes caused by UV damage in sun exposed areas; very common
What are solar lentigos often referred to as?
“Age spots” or “senile freckles”
What is the clinical presentation of a solar lentigo?
- Well circumscribed
- Small brown macule, often found in groups
In what case would you treat a solar lentigo?
Cosmetic considerations only (otherwise typically no treatment required)
What is a seborrheic keratosis (SK)?
- common benign epidermal lesion caused by proliferation of immature keratinocytes
- develop typically after age 50 (“barnacles of aging”)
- genetic link to excess multiple SK’s
What is the typical clinical presentation of a seborrheic keratosis?
- Tan to black with warty, waxy, “stuck on” appearance
- Well demarcated, oval/ round/ irregular shape
- May have single SK or hundreds
What areas of the body are SK’s typically found and what pattern can they display?
Chest, back, head, neck; Christmas tree appearance of back due to Blaschko Lines
What is an ISK?
An SK that has become irritated as a result of rubbing/ friction; may have pruritus, pain, or bleeding
What is the Leser-Trélat sign?
- Sudden onset of multiple SK’s with inflammatory base; present with skin tags and acanthosis nigricans
- Possible association with GI and lung cancers
How is an SK diagnosed?
- Typically clinical diagnosis
- Biopsy may be needed if diagnosis uncertain
What should be considered with an SK?
-Reassurance; consider removing for cosmetic reasons or some ISK’s
What are the treatment options for an SK?
Cryotherapy, shave biopsy with 15 blade, curettage, electrodessication
What is the clinical presentation of a keratoacanthoma?
- Hallmark: rapid growth over 6-8 weeks
- Round, flesh colored nodule with central keratin plug
- More commonly found in sun exposed areas
What are the risk factors for a keratoacanthoma?
- Middle-age to elderly with fair skin
- Increased UV radiation or chemical carcinogens
What is the management for keratoacanthoma?
- Majority resolve spontaneously in 6-9 months
- Due to difficult diagnosis, requires biopsy/ treatment (excisional biopsy is typically preferred)
Why is treatment of a keratoacanthoma controversial?
Benign vs. pseudo-malignant appearance; many consider less aggressive squamous cell carcinoma with rare metastatic potential
What is an actinic keratosis (AK)?
A pre-cancerous lesion originating from a keratinocyte (also known as solar keratosis)
What type of skin cancer does an actinic keratosis have the potential to develop into?
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); 8% risk per year
What are the risk factors for AK’s?
- Increasing age
- Male
- Light skin complexion (Fitz I, II)
- Chronic UV light exposure
- History of sunburns
- Immunosuppression
- Genetic syndromes
What is the Fitzpatrick Scale used for and what are the levels?
-Classifying skin types; I (very fair)- VI (very dark)
What is the clinical presentation of an AK?
- erythematous, scaly/ gritty macule or papule (feels like sandpaper)
- may be tender
How is an AK diagnosed?
- typically clinical diagnosis based on visualization/ touch
- dermoscopy may be helpful
- shave or punch biopsy if unable to differentiate from SCC
In what cases would you consider a shave/ punch biopsy for diagnosis of an AK?
- lesion > 1cm
- rapid growth
- ulceration or pain associated
- caution if lesion is > 6mm- consider SCC in situ)
What should be considered in the management of AK’s?
May spontaneously resolve (20-30%) but could reoccur
How are AK’s treated?
- Isolated lesions: cryotherapy or surgical intervention
- Multiple lesions: fluorouracil cream (preferred), photodynamic therapy (PDT), imiquimod (Aldara)
What is the spectrum of development of an SCC?
Photodamaged skin > AK > SCC in situ (Bowen’s Disease) > invasive SCC
What are risk factors for skin cancer?
- Sun exposure, sunburns, tanning beds
- More exposure= higher risk
- Fair skin higher risk than dark skin
What is the most common type of skin cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)