Exam 2 - Skin cancers Flashcards
What is basal cell carcinoma?
Non-melanoma, epidermal skin cell
- Slow growing
- Locally invasive –> won’t metastasize
Nodular basal cells
Raised
Superficial basal cells
Like psoriasis formed patch
Thin layer of scaly skin
Infiltrative or basal squamous basal cells
Looks like nodule but has tentacles under the skin that branch out
Requires surgical excision
What is the most common type of non-melanoma skin cancer?
Infiltrative or basal squamous basal cells
- More common among caucasians
What anatomical location is the most common place to get basal cells?
Nose - from direct sunlight
What would patients with basal cell carcinoma come into clinic complaining of?
- Non healing lesion that has been consistent
Basal cell carcinoma physical exam findings
- Nodular, pink
- Telangiectasia
- Shiny, pearly look to it
- Blood vessels run through it
What should the provider do with a basal cell carcinoma finding before referral to dermatology?
Stage it
- Stage 1: small lesion (<2 cm)
- Stage 2: larger lesion (>2 cm)
What is squamous cell carcinoma?
Non-melanoma skin cancer, cancer of epidermal keratinocytes
- Non healing lesion
- Poorly defined borders
- Hyper keratotic plaque
- Ulcerated center
What anatomical location is most susceptible to squamous cell carcinoma?
Face most common
What should the provider look out for before development of squamous cell carcinoma?
Actinic keratosis - hyper keratotic patch, red, scaly, raised
True/false: cutaneous skin manifestations often present in other body parts (e.g. lungs)
False - they typically stay on the skin (can get bigger and cause more tissue disruption)
Squamous cell carcinoma management/treatment
- Excision
- Electrodessication
- Currettage
- Radiation therapy or surgery
What is melanoma?
Most malignant (and aggressive) tumor of melanocytes
Can metastasize to other parts of the body
