Pigmented lesions Flashcards
what is another name for freckles
ephilides
pathophysiology of freckles
patchy increase in melanin production after UV exposure
are freckles malignant
no
what are actinic lentigines also known as
ages spots/liver spots/solar lentigines
which age group are actinic lentigines common in
elderly
where do actinic lentigines occur
face, forearms, dorsal hands
aetiology of actinic lentigines
increase in melanin and basal melanocytes in old age
are actinic lentigines malignant
no
are melanocytic naevi common
yes, most people have 20-30
what are melanocytic naevi
small brown dots in skin, appear by age of 20
are melanocytic naevi safe
yes, they are benign (unless >2cm then removed)
what is the pathophysiology of melanocytic naevi development (3 types of naevi at 3 points in life)
they travel through the dermis until age 20ish
o junctional naevus – in childhood, proliferation of melanocytes at DE junction, melanocytes attached to epidermis
o compound naevus – in adolescence, clusters of melanocytes in DE junction/dermis
o intradermal naevus – in adulthood, DE junction no longer involved, all melanocytes now in the dermis
how do dysplastic naevi differ from melanocytic naevi (4)
asymmetrical
>6mm
varied pigmentation
can be malignant/predispose melanoma
how do halo naevi present
white ring around mole/naevi
pathophysiology of halo naevi
lymphocytes run over melanocytes = loss of pigmentation
