Dermatology Flashcards
What are the functions of the skin ? (5)
- Barrier (protect for mechanical, chemical, UV)
- Thermal regulation
- Vit D synthesis
- Sensory organ (pain, pressure, touch)
- Aesthetics and communication
What are the 3 layers to the skin ? superficial to deep
- epidermis
- dermis
- hypodermis (subcutis)
What are the different layers to the epidermis ? how many ? describe a bit. what cells are involved ?
Stratum basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum, corneum
- mitosis of keratinocytes => progress more superficially (increased keratin production + migration toward the external surface)
What is cornification ? and how long does it take ?
the increased keratin production and migration of keratinocytes more superficially
- takes 30-40 days
What are melanocytes ? in which layer of the skin are they found ?
melanin producing cells (form the pigment and distribute to surrounding are through dendrites)
- found in the basal layer of the epidermis
what is the purpose of melanin ? how do ppl of darker skin vary melanin/melanocyte-wise ?
melanin protects against UV
- ppl of darker skin have same number of melanocytes but produce more melanin (so have greater protection against UV)
What is the dermis ? what is contained within it ?
Thick inner portion of skin which consists of connective tissue
- contains nerves, blood vessels, sweat glands, pilisebacious units
- fibroblasts synthesise the extracellular matrix
what are the 2 types of sweat glands ? describe ? distribution ?
- eccrine glands: cover most of the body: clear, odourless
- Apocrine glands: axillary + genital regions => body odour
What is the hypodermis ?
major body store of adipose tissue (Varies in size)
- contains blood and lymph vessels, sweat glands
list some non-melanoma skin cancers ?
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
what is a BCC ?
non-melanoma form of skin cancer that rarely metastasises
- most common type of cancer in the world
What cell layer does BCC affect ?
affects the stratum basale of the epidermis
what causes BCC development ?
develop from mutations (usually PTCH, TP53 genes)
BCC RF ?
- UV radiation (esp acute intermittent at young age)
- fear skin (Fitzpatrick I,II)
- skin canc Hx
- ionising radiation
- increasing age
- immunosuppression
describe BCC vs SCC UV RF ?
- SCC (chronic cumulative)
- BCC (intermittent intense)
what are the different subtypes of BCC ? (4) which most common ? describe each a bit
- Nodular BCC (most common): pearly shiny papule/nodules, telangiectasis, rolled borders, depressed centre
- Superficial BCC: plaque or patch of well defined scaly pink skin
- Morpheaform BCC: poorly defined, pale scar of indurated plaque
- Pigmented BCC: can be difficult to distinguish from melanoma
where on body are BCCs usually located ?
SLOW GROWING
face, nose, forehead, cheeks, nasolabial folds
BCC Ix ?
- History + exam + dermoscopy
- Definitive Dx requires biopsy + histopathological examination
BCC Mx ?
depends on subtype/size/location
- Complete surgical removal (wide local excision, Moh’s surgery)
- Radiotherapy (can only be done once in same location so not usually first line)
- topical therapy: 5-flurouracil (effudix), PDT (photodynamic therapy)
BCC complications ?
- reccurance (rodent ulcer)
- increase risk of other skin canc (including melanoma)
- aggressive canc can invade and destroy bones
- very rarely metastasise
What is SCC ?
form of non-melanoma skin cancer
- 2nd most common skin can following bcc
- risk of malignancy
SCC aetiology ? which histological skin layer ? which UV in particular ?
cancerous mutations occur in keratinocytes of the epidermis - Stratum spinosum (just above basal layer)
- chronic UV exposure (esp UVB) => damage DNA of squamous keratinocytes
SCC RF ?
- UV radiation (esp UVB)
- immunosuppresion
- Fitzpatrick types I+II
- increasing age
- male
- smoking
SCC clinical features ? describe lesion ? distribution ?
RAPID GROWING
on sun exposed areas (lips, back of hands, upper face, scalp)
- rapid growth, ulcerate/bleed/pain
- morphology: firm to palpate (nodular/plaque like) may ulcerate/bleed, crusty top
SCC Ix + Mx ?
2WW for potential SCC
- Biopsy (WLE), CT, MRI, sentinel lymph node biopsy
- If lymph node spread, radiotherapy
name some pre-malignant skin conditions ? why are these concerning ?
pre malignant keratinocyte tumours: actinic keratosis, bowens disease
- can progress to become SCCs
What is actinic keratosis ? describe ?
pre canc scaly lesions on the skin (10% risk of SSC dev)
- partial thickness dysplasia of epidermal keratinocytes (begins in basal layer, but no invasion through BM cos then would be SCC)
- no ability to metastasise
actinic keratosis Hx ?
developed over yrs in sun exposed sites, no rapid growth, no pain, no bleeding
(no ability to metastasise but can become SCC)
what is Bowens disease ? another name for this ? describe it ?
SCC in situ: full thickness displays of epidermal keratinocytes (when the cancerous cells are confined to the epidermis)
- no ability to metastasise
Bowens disease Mx ?
- Mx: topical (5-flurouracil), cryotherapy, C+C, PDT
What is melanoma ? arises where ?
it is a malignant cancer that arises from melanocyte layer (epidermal basal layer)
melanoma aetiology ?
melon occurs when melanocytes time cells undergo genetic transformation and proliferate uncontrollably
what is melanoma in situ ? invasive ? metastatic ?
- in situ ( confined to epidermis
- invasive (spread to dermis)
- metastatic (tumour spread to other issues)
what are the subtypes of melanoma ? most common ? most aggressive ? most common in POC ?
- Superficial spreading melanoma (most common)
- Nodular melanoma (most aggressive)
- lentigo maligno melanoma
- Acral lentigenous melanoma (most common in POC)
what is sacral lentigenous melanoma ?
no connection to UV exposure
- worse prognosis
- located on soles of feet, nails
melanom RF ?
- personal/FHx of melanoma
- Pale skin (Fitzpatrick I/II)
high freckle density - Hx of sunburn
- tanning bed exposure
- increasing age
- outdoor occupation
- UV exposure
describe melanoma lesion ?
A: asymmetrical
B: borders: irregular, jagged, poorly defined
C: colour: variation, change
D: diameter: most melanom >6mm
E: elevation, everything else
What is the most important prognostic factor in melanoma ?
breslow thickness (the depth that the melanoma extends to)
describe the stages to melanoma ? depends on what ?
depends on breslow thickness, if there is lymphatic/metastatic spread
- Stage 0: melanoma in situ
- Stage 1: melanoma <2mm thickness
- Stage 2: melanoma >2mm
- stage 3: melanoma spread to involve local lymph nodes
- Stage 4: metastases to distant sites
Melanoma Mx ?
2ww
- side local excision +/- sentinel lymph node biopsy
- radiotherapy, immunothepry