Ocular Tumours Flashcards
What does the term tumour mean?
Abnormal Swelling which can include a mass of tissue formed by new cells ( or swelling due to inflammation).
What is the definition of neoplasm?
The word literally translates as: New Growth Medically referred to as: “An abnormal tissue that grows by cellular proliferation more rapidly than normal and continues to grow after the stimuli that initiated the new growth cease. Neoplasms show partial or complete lack of structural organization and [lack] functional coordination with the normal tissue”
True or false - All neoplasms are cancerous.
False - Not all neoplasms are cancerous - they can be both Malignant AND benign
What does the term benign mean? Give an example of a possible benign structure
It lacks the ability to invade neighbouring tissue or metastasize. It is self limiting e.g a mole
What is a malignant growth? Give an example of a malignant growth
A growth that is characterised by Anaplasia (poor cellular differentiation, lack specialisation of mature cells), and with being Invasive with the capacity for metastasis e.g. melanoma
What is the differential diagnosis of a benign and malignant tumour based on?
A differential diagnosis would be based on whether: - Anaplasia is present -The rate of growth -Presence of metastasis -Local Invasion
What does the term cancer refer to?
A malignant neoplasm
How can the name of a tumour be an indication into whether it has a benign or malignant nature?
A tumour that has the prefix ‘Car’ tends to be an indication of a malignant nature e.g. Basal Cell CARcinoma, AdenoCARcinoma, Squamous Cell CARcinoma etc. [Note not all malignant tumours have the ‘Car’ prefix e.g. melanoma]
What is a benign tumour of a melanocyte (a pigment carrying cell) called?
A Naevus
What is a malignant tumour of a melanocyte (a pigment carrying cell) called?
A Melanoma
What is melanosis?
Increased Melanin Pigmentation
True or false- A melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer
True
True or False - Melanomas do not grow from normal looking skin but rather structures such as moles or freckles.
False - Melanomas can grow from normal looking skin as well as structures like moles or freckles.
True or False- Melanomas are only present in areas exposed to sun
False - Melanomas can develop anywhere on your body and are not limited to areas where there is sun exposure
When noticing a dark spot/mole in or around a pateint’s eye or face what are suspicious signs to look out for?
What is a superficial spreading melanoma?
How does it grow?
What does it look like?
What is a nodular melanoma?
What does it look like?
How does it grow?
[This may spread more rapidly than the superficial form]
What is a Squamous Cell papilloma?
Is it benign or malignant?
Is it common?
What is it also referred to as?
What is the most common form of skin cancer?
Basal cell Carcinoma
Which age group are basal cell carcinomas most prevalent?
They are most prevalent in the elderly
True or false - 90% of eyelid tumours are caused by Basal Cell Carcinomas
True
Are basal cell carcinomas fast or slow growing?
Slow growing
Are Basal Cell Carcinomas Metastising?
No - they are non-Metastising.
What does it mean to be pedunculated?
To be growing on a peduncle ( i.e. an elongated stalk of tissue) - basically it means to be growing on a lump of tissue.
Do Basal Cell Carcinomas pose a risk to life?
No as they tend to be slow growing and not metastisize.
What does a Basal Cell Carcinoma look like?
What are the clinical signs of a basal cell carcinoma?
- Ulceration
- Lack of tenderness
- Induration – Hardening of normally soft tissue
- Irregular borders
- Destruction of lid margin architecture
What are the three types of Basal Cell Carcinomas a px can have?
- Nodular
- Noduloulcerative
- Sclerosing
What does a nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma on the eyelid look like?
Is growth of a nodular Basal Cell carcinoma fast or slow?
What does a Noduloulcerative BCC (rodent ulcer) on the eyelid look like?
What does a Sclerosing Basal Cell Carcinoma look like?
How does it spread?
What is it often mistaken for?
It inflitrates and spreads laterally.
Which carcinoma is more common - Basal Cell carcinoma or Squamous cell Carcinoma?
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Which carcinoma is more aggressive - Basal Cell Carcinoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Squamous Cell Carcinomas as 20% of them Metastisize
True or False - Squamous Cell Carcinomas prefer the upper eyelid?
False - They prefer the lower eye lid.
Which px group is Squamous Cell Carcinoma most prevalent in?
More common in older people with fair complexion and history of chronic sun exposure
True or False- Being Immunosupressed increases the risk of a Squamous cell Carcinoma.
True
A Squamous Cell Carcinoma can look like a Basal Cell carcinoma, however, how can we differentiate them?
In a Squamous Cell Carcinoma:
- Surface vascularization is usually absent.
- Growth is more rapid
- Hyperkeratosis (excess development of keratin)is more often present - IMPORTANT SIGN OF SCC
What are the three types of Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
- Nodular SCC
- Ulcerating SCC
- Cutaneous horn