Dermatopathology Flashcards
What is the difference between a macule and a patch?
A macule is a flat small region of skin with a different color or texture. (like freckles)
A Patch is actually just a macule bigger than 1cm
What is a papule?
A palpable change in consistency or contour of the skin
What do you call a large papule? (diameter greater than 1cm)
a nodule
What do you call a large nodule?
a tumor!
What do you call a coalescence of papules?
a plaque
What is a cyst?
An encapsulated nodule filled with soft material!
A little bump underneath the skin
example: epidermal cyst
What is the difference between vitiligo and albinism?
Albinism - body has defective tyrosinase enzyme, you have normal melanocytes, but they can’t make any pigment
Vitiligo - autoimmune destruction of melanocytes, lymphocyte mediated, have normal enzyme
What is malasma?
Hyperpigmentation often caused by pregnancy or medications
(resolves afterward)
mask-like face hyperpigmentation
worsened by sunlight
What pigmentation lesions are caused by excess melanin, and which are caused by too many malnocytes?
Due to excess melanin
- Freckle
- Melasma
- Solar lentigo
Increased number of melanocytes
- Melanocyte hyperplasia (Lentigo simplex)
- Melanocytic neoplasia (Nevi, Melanoma)
Explain : Solar lentigo
Hyperpigmentation due to excess melanin exposure
Caused by sun exposure - a protective mechanism of melanocytes
What is lentigo simplex?
Localized hyperplasia of melanocytes (increased number of cells)
NOT sun-related
small brown macules
What is cancer? Why shouldn’t you use this term with other physicians?
A malignant neoplasm!
It isn’t really specific…
What are benign vs malignant melanocytic neoplasms called?
Benign: Nevi (basically just moles)
Malignant: Melanoma
Nevi start growing where? Where do they grow later?
They start in the epidermis and later move into the dermis and grow there.
What’s important to know about a spitz nevus?
Big red papule
Cut out that whole thing! Some can behave in crazy ways! So ya, just remember that
