Dermatology Flashcards
Derm
What is a malignant melanoma?
Invasive malignant tumour of the epidermal melanocytes which have a potential to metastasise
most deadly skin cancer
What is the epidemiology of malignant melanomas?
Least common skin cancer
Average age 63, can affect people in their 30s
What are the risk factors for malignant melanomas?
Excessive UV exposure
Fitzpatrick skin type 1 (always burns, never tans)
Hx multiple/atypical moles
FHx/Hx melanoma
What are the characteristics of a malignant melanoma?
A-F
Asymmetry Border irregularity Colour irregularity (pigmented) Diameter >6mm Evolution of lesion (size/shape changes) Funny looking mole (nodular)
May bleed, itchy, ulcerate, crust over
What are the symptoms of a malignant melanoma?
Inflammation Oozing Change in sensation On legs (F) On trunk (M)
What is the scoring criteria for a malignant melanoma?
NICE 7 point checklist
What is the scoring for the NICE 7 point checklist?
Asymmetry: 2 [Border irregularity] Colour irregularity: 2 Diameter 7mm+: 1 Evolution of lesion (size): 2 Inflammation: 1 Oozing: 1 Change in sensation: 1
At what score of the NICE 7 point checklist do you send the Pt for a 2 week wait referral?
3+
What are the subtypes of malignant melanomas?
LANS
Lentigo maligna
Acral lentiginous
Nodular
Superficial spreading
What are the characteristics of a lentigo maligna melanoma?
Present in the elderly
Common on the face
Chronic UV exposure
What are the characteristics of an acral lentiginous melanoma?
Common in darker skin types
Found on palm of hand, sole of foot, or under the nails
What are the characteristics of a nodular melanoma?
Poor prognosis
Rapid growth
Vertical spread
What are the characteristics of a superficial spreading melanoma?
Most common subtype
What are some melanocytic lesions?
Seborrheic warts Congenital naevi Junctional naevi Compound naevi Intradermal naevi
What are the characteristics of seborrheic keratoses?
Present in the elderly
Often multiple
Wart-like, greasy
Stuck on appearance
What are the characteristics of congenital naevi?
Large
Pigmented
Hairy
(ie birthmarks)
What are the characteristics of junctional naevi?
Small
Flat
Dark
What are the characteristics of compound naevi?
Raised
Warty
Hairy
What are the characteristics of intradermal naevi?
Dome shaped nodule
What are the investigations for melanomas?
2WW referral Examine with dermatoscope Full thickness excisional biopsy Take photo and review in 3/12 if atypical If risk of mets: -CXR -Liver US -CT CAP -Brain MRI
What is a basal cell carcinoma?
Slow growing local invasive tumour of basal keratinocytes in epidermis (in stratum basale)
What are the risk factors of BCCs?
Skin type 1 Age Male Immunosuppression Hx/FHx skin cancer Excessive UV exposure Frequent sunburns in childhood
Are BCCs likely to metastasise?
No- but may be locally invasive eg into dermis
Where do BCCs commonly present?
Around the head and neck
What are the characteristics of a BCC?
Nodule, small Pearly, rolled edges \+/-Central ulcer (rodent ulcer) Central fine surface telangiectasia Skin coloured
What are the investigations for a BCC?
Routine derm referral (not 2WW)
Examine with a dermatoscope
Excise the lesion
What is a squamous cell carcinoma?
Locally invasive malignant tumour of the epidermal keratinocytes/its appendages, with the potential to metastasise
What are the risk factors of SCCs?
Excessive UV exposure
Pre-malignant skin conditions (actinic keratoses)
Chronic inflammation (eg leg ulcer, would scar)
Immunosuppression
FHx
Lighter skin
What are the characteristics of a SCC?
Hyperkeratotic (scaly, crusty) Ill-defined nodule May ulcerate Non-healing lesion Everted/rolled edges
What are the investigations for a SCC?
Refer to dermatology (2WW)
Examine with a dermatoscope
Biopsy/complete excision
What is molluscum contagiosum?
A viral skin infection
What is the epidemiology of molluscum contagiosum?
Pre-school children age 1-4
What are the risk factors for molluscum contagiosum?
Close contact/swimming pools/sexual contact
HIV infection
Atopic eczema
What is the presentation of molluscum contagiosum?
Dome shaped Flesh coloured Pearly white papules Central umbillication May be >100 if immunocompromised Systemically well
What are the investigations for molluscum contagiosum?
No investigations
Clinical diagnosis
What is cellulitis?
Acute bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue
What is erysipelas?
Distinct form of superficial cellulitis which is sharply demarcated
What are the common causative organisms of cellulitis/erysipelas?
Streptococcus pyogenes
Staphylococcus aureus
Haemophilus influenzae (periorbital)
What is necrotising fasciitis?
Infection of the deep fascia with secondary tissue necrosis
Which pathogen causes necrotising fasciitis?
Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus
What are the risk factors for necrotising fasciitis?
Surgical wounds
Skin breakage
Medical co-morbidities
50% occur in healthy people
What are the signs and symptoms of necrotising fasciitis?
Severe pain
Erythematous blistering, necrotic skin
Fever/tachycardia
Crepitus (subcutaneous emphysema)
What are the investigations you would do for necrotising fasciitis?
FBC- WCC U+E- high urea CRP, CK Blood and tissue cultures XR/CT- soft tissue gas
What is eczema?
Chronic itchy inflammatory skin condition
What is the epidemiology of eczema?
10-30% of children
What is the presentation of eczema?
Itchy dry skin affecting flexures
Can affect face/extensor surfaces in small infants
Lichenification (chronic itching)
What are the characteristics of atopic dermatitis?
Lichenification
Flexures
Type 1 hypersinsitivity (IgE mediated)
What are the characteristics of seborrheic dermatitis?
Yellow greasy scales
Can cause nappy rash
Adults- dandruff, plaques on nasolabial fold, eyebrows
Associated with malassezia yeasts
What are the characteristics of contact dermatitis?
Nickel/chromate/perfume/latex/plant hypersensitivity
Type 4 reaction (T cell mediated)
What are the characteristics of dyshidrotic/pompholyx dermatitis?
Vescicles/blisters
Hands and feet
Related to sweating
What are the characteristics of discoid/nummular eczema?
Scattered round patches
Itchy
Hx of atopic eczema/skin injury