Pigmented, Precancerous and Cancerous Lesions Flashcards
Solar keratosis neoplastic condition in which precancerous epithelial lesions are found on sun-exposed areas of the body
Actinic Keratosis
AKs are MC in who?
- lighter skin type
- older age - d/t lifetime sun exposure
- immunocomp - esp solid organ transplantation
AKs are MC seen where on the body?
sun-exposed skin
- Face
- Scalp (balding or part)
- Neck
- Upper chest
- Forearms
- Dorsal hands
- Shins and feet
These flat, scaly papules are of varying sizes and usually begin as “rough” localized skin lesions that the patient feels but are difficult to see
Actinic Keratosis
AKs have a higher risk for developing what?
- non-melanoma skin cancer
- potential to evolve into SCC
- Subtle, barely elevated to thicker, hypertrophic, rough papules with ill-defined borders on sun-damaged skin
- color variation from whites to yellows, pink and light, mid-brown, or uniformly brown; reddish-brown or gray-colored scale (rarely)
- underlying red base
- easily palpated than seen - “gritty,” “scaly”
dx?
w/u?
- AKs
- clinical; can refer to derm for bx
When large in number, actinic keratoses may coalesce to form what?
plaque
Whitish scaly flat papules or a confluent plaque on the lower lip are called?
actinic cheilitis
Dermoscopy shows a white to yellow surface scale, erythema revealing a pseudo-network around hair follicles, linear-wavy vessels, follicle openings with yellowish keratotic plugs
what is this?
Actinic Keratosis
how would a pigmented AK look like on dermoscopy?
similar to non-pigmented actinic keratosis with the addition of moth-eaten or sharp borders and gray dots / granules.
MC AKs are pigmented, why?
due to the collision of a solar lentigo and actinic keratosis
when would a bx be necessary for an AK vs invasive carcinoma?
recurrent, hyperkeratotic, large (>6 mm), indurated, and/or painful lesions to r/o invasive carcinoma
general mgmt/protection against AK
- sun avoidance / sun-protective measures
- Sunscreen SPF +30
Lesion-Targeted therapies options for AKs
- Cryosurgery - MC form of tx for AK
- Curettage & Electrosurgery
- Shave excision/biopsy
Field therapies options for AKs
- 5- Fluorouracil (5-FU)
- imiquimod cream
- ingenol mebutate (Picato)
- diclofenac gel
MOA of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)
Blocks DNA synthesis = apoptosis and selective cell death
SE of 5-FU
- localized skin reaction - burning, pruritus, erythema, erosion, crusting, ulceration
- d/c once erythema, erosion, crusting and necrosis have occurred
- immunomodulator - stimulates local cytokine induction
- used for non-hypertrophic AK- face OR scalp
- Avoid in immunocompromised individuals
what med?
Imiquimod
SE & pt ed for imiquimod
- SE - localized skin reaction (as with 5-FU)
- Pt Ed - SE are associated with increased clearance rates; wash hands before and after application; wash tx area before application
MOA of ingenol mebutate (Picato)
plant derivative - MOA - 2 step process
- disruption cell membrane and DNA –> necrosis
- neutrophil-mediated cytotoxicity that eliminates remaining tumor cells
indication for ingenol mebutate?
AK only
dosing of ingeol mebutate
- 0.015% gel - face/scalp - once daily x 3 days
- may repeat once after 8 wks if recurrence or full resolution isn’t achieved - 0.05% gel - trunk/extremities - once daily x 2 days
SE & caution with ingenol mebutate
- SE: localized skin irritation - large erosions are possible
- Caution - risk of invasive SCC ????
MOA of Diclofenac 3% gel
COX-2 inhibitor (inhibits prostaglandin synthesis)
Theory: production of prostaglandins contributes to non-melanoma skin CA
which AK tx uses cryotherapy over larger area?
Cryopeeling
whats Dermabrasion?
surgical scraping of the outermost layers of the skin
what are chemical peels?
use of acidic agent (5-10% trichloroacetic acid) to remove outer layer of skin
what is laser resurfacing?
use of laser to remove multiple AK’s
what is photodynamic therapy?
use of a photosensitizer and light source which induces cell death
disposition of AK
- First visit- lesion targeted tx; extensive pt education
- f/u 2-3 months - bx recurrent/persistent lesions; Lesion targeted tx for few new AK’s, f/u 6-12m
- Field therapy for numerous AK’s - Assess compliance and SE profile; f/u 3-6 m
malignancy of cutaneous epithelial cells occurring most frequently on sun-exposed areas of the skin, particularly the face and dorsal hands
SCC
which parts of the body carries a greater risk of metastases with SCC?
- oral mucosa
- lip
- hard/firm papule/plaque/nodule with a thick adherent keratotic scale
- +/- erosion, ulcerated, umbilicated
- erythematous, yellow or skin colored
- lesions found on sun-exposed areas - head, neck, dorsal hands, legs (women)
- regional LAd with metastasis
SCC
RF for SCC
- Chronic sun exposure
- Fair skin and blue eyes
- FHx skin cancer
- Increased age
- Scarring processes (chronic ulcers, burns, hidradenitis)
- occupational trauma
- chronic lymphedema
- venous stasis
- Ionizing radiation
- Immunosuppression
- HPV
- tattoos (due to trauma)
In individuals with darker skin phototypes, SCC has been found to occur where?
- scars
- non-sun-exposed areas
MC skin cancer in african americans?
SCC
still 80x less likely to occur in dark skin < light skin
Confined to the epidermis and includes other specific clinical entities Bowen disease and erythroplasia of Queyrat (on the male genitalia)
Squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS)
what other findings are common with a pt with SCC?
other evidence of sun exposure (eg, solar elastosis, actinic keratoses, solar lentigines)
characteristics of SCC on dermoscopy?
- Nonpigmented and pigmented lesions
- red vessels as dots, scale / crust, and shiny white structures - crystalline structures
- Vessels appearing more coiled or twisted-loop in appearance - Thickened stratum corneum
- Orange / tan circular or ovoid structures with a white peripheral rim - keratin pearl
- Pigmented SCCs - SCC features + brown/gray dots or brown circles, in a linear arrangement
Careful examination of _____ is essential when SCC is considered and especially after it is diagnosed
regional lymph nodes
w/u for SCC
- H&P is the most effective
- Bx
histopathology findings of SCC
- Pleomorphic and hyperchromatic squamous cell with variable nuclear size
- Loss of full-thickness epidermal maturation
- Overlying parakeratosis
- Keratinocyte mitoses
- Dyskeratosis
- Squamous pearls
- Occasional features
- Presence of an adjacent solar / actinic keratosis
tumor subtypes of SCC
- Bowen disease (SCC in situ variant)
- Acantholytic / adenoid / pseudoglandular
- Well differentiated
- Poorly differentiated