Melanoma Flashcards
What are the most common genetic mutations in familial melanoma?
CDK4 and CDKN2A
What is the most common mutation resulting from environmental damage?
Damage to the BRAF gene that upregulates the MAPK pathway and increases cell proliferation
What are risk factors for melanoma?
Sun exposure/sunburns during childhood, dysplastic nevus syndrome, positive family history, immunosuppression, tanning bed use, elevated socioeconomic status, presence of red hair, presence of other skin cancers
What factors influence prognosis in malignant melanoma?
Thickness, mitotic rate, ulceration of lesion, and staging
What is the treatment for malignant melanoma?
Chemotherapy (doesn’t work well), immunotherapy is most promising (ex. interferon a2b, ipilimumab, IL-2, IFNa2b)
What are key immunotherapy targets for malignant melanoma?
Antibodies against CTLA-4, directed against the BRAF gene point mutations, MEK inhibitors, PD-1 receptor antibodies
What is the most serious form of skin cancer?
Melanoma
What is this?
Melanoma
How do primary tumors disseminate throughout the body?
Via vascular and lymphatic routes, especially to the brain, lung, and lymph nodes
What is the ABCDE mnemonic for melanoma?
A = asymmetry
B = border (irregular shapes)
C = color (multitude of colors)
D = diameter (pencil eraser)
E = evolving (changing size, shape, color)
What are nevi?
Moles - can be typical or atypical/irregular
What is dermoscopy?
A tool used to diagnose benign vs. malignant pigmented skin lesions that includes a hand-held microscope to make skin more visible to the naked eye
What is this?
Nodular melanoma
What is this?
Lentigo maligna melanoma
What is this?
Acral lentiginous melanoma
What is this?
Amelanotic melanoma
