Lecture 8: Pigmented, Precancerous lesions Flashcards
What is Actinic Keratosis?
Solar keratosis Neoplastic condition in which precancerous epithelial lesions are found on sun-exposed areas of the body.
What skin type is actinic keratosis MC in?
Lighter skin
Where is Actinic Keratosis MC?
Any sun exposed skin
What does actinic keratosis look like?
- 2-6 mm plaques
- Yellowish
- Hypertrophic
- Rough
- Ill-defined border with some scale
- Underlying red base
Who is MC for actinic keratosis?
Immunosuppressed
What cancer can actinic keratosis evolve into?
squamous cell carcinoma
What can help and/or resolve actinic keratosis?
Protection from UV light
How do you find actinic keratoses?
Palpation
“gritty”
How is actinic keratosis dx?
Clinically, but refer to derm if unsure.
What is the lower lip involvement version of actinic keratosis called?
Actinic cheilitis
If you choose to do dermoscopy, what will show up for actinic keratosis?
- White to yellow surface scale
- Erythema with pseudo-network around hair follicles
- linear-wavy vessels
- follicle openings with yellowish keratotic plugs
Classic gritty feel
What causes actinic keratosis to be pigmented?
Collision of solar lentigo and actinic keratosis
Solar lentigo is like a dark spot/aka liver spot
When would a biopsy be indicated for actinic keratosis?
- Recurrent, hyperkeratotic
- Large > 6mm
- Indurated
- Painful
R/u invasive carcinoma
What is the MC type of tx for actinic keratosis that is lesion-targeted?
Cryosurgery
Since cryo is superficial but precise
What meds can treat actinic keratosis?
- 5-FU
- Imiquimod cream
- Ingenol mebutate
- Diclofenac gel
What is the MOA of 5-FU?
Blocks DNA synthesis and leading to selective cell death.
How often is 5-FU dosed?
BID to affected area for x 2-4w
QD for micronized to face/scalp
What is the main pt education for using 5-FU for actinic keratosis?
Success is parallel to pt compliance.
What you put in is what you get out of it
MOA of imiquimod
Immunomodulator that stimulates local cytokine induction.
Imi(mod) = immune modulator
When is imiquimod used?
ImmunoCOMPETENT people with non-hypertrophic AK on their face or scalp
You don’t wanna use immune drugs on some with a weak immune.
How is imiquimod given?
Cream nightly, wash after 8 hrs. 2x/wk for 16 wks.
Start at 5%
Main SE of both 5-FU and imiquimod?
Local skin rxn
Main pt education for imiquimod
- SE = getting better
- Wash hands before and after
- Wash area before
What is the MOA of ingenol mebutate (Picato)?
- Disruption of the cell membrane and DNA => necrosis
- Neutrophil-mediated cytotoxicity that eliminates remaining tumor cells
PLANT DERIVATIVE
When is ingenol mebutate (Picato) used?
Actinic Keratosis
How is ingenol mebutate (Picato) administered?
- 0.015% gel for the face/scalp.
- 0.05% gel for trunk/extremities
Cover affected area for 3d for face, 2d for trunk.
What is the risk of ingenol mebutate (Picato)?
Invasive SCC
What is the MOA of diclofenac 3% gel?
COX-2 inhibitor
PGE production makes non-melanoma skin CA
How long do you apply diclofenac 3% gel?
BID for 60-90 days
Much longer than other tx modalities
Why might diclofenac 3% gel be preferred over other agents for Actinic Keratosis?
Mild skin reaction compared to others.
However, tx is much longer. 60-90d
What are the 5 procedural field therapies for actinic keratosis?
- Cryopeeling
- Dermabrasion
- Chemical Peels
- Laser Resurfacing
- Photodynamic therapy
A patient is being seen for their first derm visit regarding a few suspicious actinic keratosis. What is the first-line tx?
Lesion targeted therapy
- Cryosurgery
- Curettage
- Shave excision
- Patient education on sunscreen
- 3 mo f/u
What would be the first two drugs you would choose for a 2nd visit of multiple AKs?
- 5-FU
- Imiquimod
A patient compliant with topical field therapy and having multiple AKs does not like 5-FU or imiquimod. What can you give them?
Diclofenac gel
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Malignant cutaneous epithelial cells, MC on sun-exposed areas.
AK often is a precursor.
What area, if found, is SCC highest risk for metastasis?
Oral mucosa and lip
How does differentiated SCC present?
- Hard/firm papule/plaque/nodule
- Thick, adherent keratotic scale
- Erythematous, yellow, or skin colored.
- Found on sun-exposed areas
- Can cause regional LAN with metastasis
Undifferentiated SCC, what does it look like?
- Soft, fleshy, erosive papule/nodule
- Papillomatous, like a cauliflower.
- Bleeds easily
- Not found on sun-exposed areas prior to differentiation
Top RFs for SCC
- Chronic sun exposure
- Fair skin, blue eyes
- FHx
- Old
- Scarring
- HPV
- Tattoos if traumatic
What is the MC skin cancer in AA?
SCC
Even though it is 80x less likely to occur in dark skin.
Why do dark skin ppl rarely get dxd with SCC?
- Doesn’t occur often in darker skinned
- Occurs in scars and non-sun-exposed areas for darker skin, so its not caught.
What is SCC in situ?
Confined to epidermis
Includes Bowen dz and erythroplasia or Queyrat (on testes)
Who is SCC in situ more frequent and aggressive in?
Immunosuppressed
What will you often see on the skin of patients with SCC? (besides SCC)
- Solar elastosis
- AKs
- Solar lentigines
Most important predisposing factors/locations for SCC
- Old burn scar
- Chronic cutaneous ulcers
- Inflammation
- Irradiation
- Chronic lymphedema
- Venous stasis
What is the classic presentation of SCC on dermoscopy?
Red vessels as dots, scale/crust, and shiny white structures (Crystalline Structures
What does pigmented SCC look like?
Red vessels + Shiny white structures + brown/gray dots in a linear arrangment.
Besides looking at the actual lesion in SCC, what else is essential to examine?
Regional lymph nodes
What is the most effective means of detecting SCC?
A thorough H&P
What is the characteristic histopathology of SCC biopsy?
- Pleomorphic/hyperchromatic squamous cells with variable nuclear size
- Loss of full-thickness epidermal maturation
- Overlying parakeratosis
- Dyskeratosis
- Squamous peals
- Adjacent solar/actinic keratosis
What are the subtypes of SCC?
- Bowen dz (SCCIS variant)
- Acantholytic/adenoid/pseudoglandular
- Well differentiated
- Poorly differentiated
TOC for SCC
Excision with narrow margins (3-5 mm)
Does not apply to oral mucosa, head and neck, or immunocomped pts?
Wider margins are needed if its well-differentiated
In high-risk SCC, what is the main TOC?
Excision with 6 mm margins if Mohs cannot be done.
Mohs is preferred for high-risk SCC
If we suspect/know SCC with nodal metastases, what secondary procedure is indicated beside excision?
Lymph node dissection.
For superficial SCCs, whats a less invasive procedure/non surgical option?
Electrodessication and curettage x 3 with margins of 3-4 mm
For non-surgical candidates with SCC, what can we do? (2nd/3rd line)
- Topical imiquimod
- Topical/intralesional 5-FU
- Electrochemo
- Interferon
- Photodynamic therapy
Pt Ed for SCC
- Check any sus lesions (open sore, pink-reddish growth, irritated or shiny)
- 30 SPF minimum
- Seek shade outdoors
- NO TO TANNING BEDS
What characterizes a keratoacanthoma?
- A variant of SCC that grows rapidly
- Solitary or multiple
- Involutes over time
Histology of keratoacanthoma
- Craterioform
- Endophytic nodule
- Well differentiated keratinocytes
- CENTRAL KERATIN PLUG
Tx for keratoacanthoma
Mohs or Excision
MC skin cancer
Basal cell carcinoma
basic
MC subtype of basal cell carcinoma?
Nodular variant
Normal Basic
What 3 ethnicities have pigmented BCC as the most common variant?
- African
- Hispanic
- Asians
What are the 4 types of BCC?
- Nodular (MC overall)
- Infiltrating
- Pigmented (MC in african/hispanic/asian)
- Superficial
What happens if BCC is not treated?
Local destruction
rarely metastasizes
Describe nodular BCC
- Translucent pearly papule/nodule
- well defined borders
- Smooth, firm surface with telangiectasias.
- +/- erosions, sporadic pigmentation
Describe ulcerating BCC
- Translucent and pearly
- Smooth and firm
- CENTRAL ULCER
- +/- elevated borders = rodent border
Describe sclerosing BCC
- Plaque, scar like lesion
- Pink/white
- Telangiectasias
- ill defined borders
Describe superficial multicentric BCC
- Thin plaque/patch
- Pink/red
- +/- scaling
Describe pigmented BCC
- Firm papule/nodule
- +/- umbilication
- Smooth pearly surface
- Pigmented/stippled globules of pigment
Hereditary conditions associated with BCC
- Albinism
- Xeroderma pigmentosum
- Nevoid BCC syndrome
- Rasmussen syndrome
- Rombo syndrome
- Darier dz
Prognosis for BCC
If properly identified and treated, very good! Make sure to keep f/u since 2nd BCC is common.
If 2 or more BCC appears in a patient younger than 30, what underlying condition may they have?
Nevoid BCC syndrome
Or exposure to ionizing radiation
BCCs will often be bigger
Best test for BCC dx
Skin biopsy with shave/punch
Biopsy Basal, See Squamous
Pt ed for BCC
General sun protection
What is the tx for BCC?
- Electrodessication and curettage (ED&C)
- Excision
- Cryosurgery
- Radiation
- Mohs
- Oral smoothened inhibitors (suppresses hedgehog pathway)
Individualized per pt
Mohs criteria for BCC
- Recurrent
- Aggressive subtype
- > 2 cm
- Head/neck location
Best tx for BCCs that are recurrent, primary BCCs in the nasolabial folds, or morpheoform histopathology?
Mohs
What are the pharm options for non-surgical BCC or metastatic BCC patients?
Vismodegib (metastatic BCC) or Sonidegib (locally advanced BCC)
(hedgehog pathway inhibitors)
Sonic is a Very fast Hedgehog
What is a common melanocytic nevi?
Benign overgrowth of skin cells
What are the two types of common melanocytic nevi and what is the more sus one?
- Congenital MN (CMN) is a developmental defect in melanoblasts. Big ones = increased risk for melanoma
- Acquired (MN) = develops in early childhood but regresses after 60
What are the clinical features of a common melanocytic nevi? (4)
- Asymptomatic without change
- Symmetric
- Sharp borders
- Uniform color
How do you dx a common acquired nevomelanocytic nevi?
Dermoscopy
Indications for excision of unconfirmed common acquired nevomelanocytic nevi? (5)
Confirmed = no tx
- Located on scalp, anogenital, mucosa
- Rapid change
- Irregular borders
- Erosions
- Persistent itching/pain/bleeding
What is dysplastic melanocytic nevi? (DN)
Pigmented lesion resulting from proliferation of Atypical melanocytes
When does dysplastic melanocytic nevi (DN) occur?
Late onset childhood to middle adulthood
Why is dysplastic melanocytic nevi scary? (DN)
Precursor to superficial spreading melanoma
Increases risk for melanoma
Clinical features of dysplastic melanocytic nevi (DN) (5)
- Asymptomatic
- Irregular shape
- Sharp and ill-defined borders
- Variegated color
- Maculopapular
Dx of dysplastic melanocytic nevi (DN)
Clinical
If confirmation needed, via histopatho
Tx of dysplastic melanocytic nevi (DN)
- Obs with dermoscopy
- Excision with biopsy if necessary to r/o melanoma
Indications: changing or can’t closely observe.
Shave, laser, cryo, and electro are all contraindicated.
How do you f/u or monitor dysplastic melanocytic nevi? (DN)
- Routine skin exams every 3 months if FHx of DN or melanoma
- Otherwise 6-12 months.
Tell family members to check too
Table of MN vs DN
- MN = several or many
- MN = symmetrical
- MN = smaller, around < 5 mm
- MN = stops in adolescence
4 subtypes of melanoma
- Superficial Spreading Melanoma (SSM) MC
- Nodular Melanoma
- Lentigo maligna melanoma
- Acral lentiginous melanoma (LEAST COMMON)
Top 2 RFs for Melanoma
- Genetics
- Exposure to UVA/UVB with light skin
MC cancer in young women 25-29
Melanoma
Most deadly skin cancer
Melanoma
80% of skin cancer deaths
How many nevi is a RF for melanoma?
more than 25
What are the two clinical classifications of melanoma development?
- De novo melanoma = brand new (MC 70%)
- Precursor melanoma = developed from DN or CMN
What do radial/thin and vertical melanoma mean?
- Radial/thin = epidermis only
- Vertical = extending down leading to metastasis
What is the primary prognostic feature of melanoma?
Depth of invasion, measured as the Breslow thickness
measured in mm
Who dies more from melanoma: men or women?
Men
MC melanoma metastases sites
- Skin/SC
- Lymph nodes
- Lungs
- Liver
- Brain
It can go anywhere tho
Common features of melanoma
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Color change/variegation
- Diameter > 6 mm
- Evolution
Ulceration/bleeding = late signs
What is a lightly pigmented melanoma called?
Amelanotic
Where is SSM MC in men and women?
- Men: trunk
- Women: LE
Men go shirtless and women wear shorts
Which two melanoma subtypes are slow growing?
- Lentigo maligna
- Acral lentiginous
Which melanoma subtype is most likely to ulcerate/bleed?
Nodular melanoma
2nd MC after SSM
What is an ugly duckling lesion?
The weirdest looking pigmented lesion out of many
Best test for melanoma
Excision biopsy (shave/punch)
What are the 5 levels of Clark staging for melanoma?
- in situ
- Invade papillary dermis
- Invade papillary dermis and reaches reticular dermis
- Invade reticular dermis
- Invade SQ fat
I,P,Pr, R, S
What are the 3 ways to stage melanoma?
- Clark
- TNM
- Breslow
When do you need a sentinel lymph node biopsy for Melanoma per breslow thickness?
> 0.76 mm on breslow
TOC for melanoma
Surgical excision
What are the guidelines regarding margins for melanoma excision?
- in situ = 0.5 cm (large for lentigo maligna)
- Less than 1 mm = 1 cm margins
- 1-2 mm = 1-2 cm margins
- 2-4 mm = 2 cm margins
- 4 mm = 2 cm magins
Melanoma uses LARGE margins
How often should someone with a FHx of BCC or SCC get a skin exam? Melanoma?
- BCC/SCC = Q6months
- Melanoma = Q3months
In general, what cancers can Mohs be done for?
BCC and SCC
Not for melanoma!
High cure rate, low recurrence, minimal tissue loss
Indications for simple excision with 5 mm margins
- Well-defined nodular BCC
- Low risk SCC in anatomical appropriate site
When is wide local excision with 2-5 cm margins indicated?
- Well-differentiated SCC
- Well-defined large nodular-ulcerative BCC
CIs to suturing after punch biopsy
- Active infection
- Poorly healing skin
What do you stabilize skin perpendicular to in punch biopsies?
Langer lines
Longest wavelength UV
UVA
What kind of sunscreen do you need?
Broad spectrum (ZINC OXIDE)
Covers UVA and UVB