Skin 2 Flashcards
what is the most common skin cancer
basal cell carcinoma - common, locally invasive, kertionycte cancer
aetiology of BCC
DNA mutation in the patched tumor suppressor gene (PTCH) gene
RF for BCC
elderly males previous BCC sun damage actinic keratoses repeated prior episodes of sunburn fair skin, blue eyes and blonde or red hair thermal burn inherited BCC
clinical features of BCC
- raised rolled edge pearly lesion
- telangiectasia - may be one the surface and the center may break open to form a scab
- sore can bleed and form a scab and heal
- slowly growing plaque or nodule
- skin-colored, pink, or pigmented
- spontaneous bleeding or ulceration
investigation of BCC
- Diagnosis of clinical suspicion
- Dermatoscope
- Excision biopsy – gold standard diagnosis.
which subtype of BCC is the most common on the face
nodular BCC
which subtype of BCC is the most common on the younger adults
superficial BCC
which subtype of BCC is the most common to spread through perinerual means
morphoeic BCC
mx of BCC
Routine referral (3 months) unless delay may have significant impact e.g. size and site of lesion.
Types of treatment
• Excision.
• Mohs micrographically controlled excision: involves examining carefully marked excised tissue under the microscope, layer by layer, to ensure to complete excision - tissue sparing or head and neck
• Superficial skin surgery
• Cryotherapy
• Photodynamic therapy:
• Imiquimod cream: immune response modifier
• Fluorouracil cream: topical cytotoxic agent
• Radiotherapy
what is a squamous cell carcinoma
A proliferation of atypical transformed keratinocytes in the skin with malignant behaviour which ranges from in-situ tumours to invasive metastatic disease.
what are the different types of SCC
- actinic keratoses - precursor
- SCC in situ (bown disease) - confined to outer layer of skin
- invasive SCC - spread into deeper layers of the skin
- metastatic SCC - spread to other parts of the body
what are the different variants of SCC
keratoacanthoma - rapidly growing dome shaped nodule with a central kertin filled crater –> known as a well differentiated SCC
Verrucous carcinoma: Lesions appear as exophytic, fungating, verrucous nodules, or plaques on skin or mucosa.
Marjolin ulcer - aggressive, ulcerating SCC that arises in chronic wounds, burns, scars, or ulcers
aetiology of SCC
• DNA mutation in protooncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.
• Actinic keratoses- most common precursor.
Sun exposed sites- face, hands, ears.
risk factors of SCC
- Male
- UV light exposure
- Ionising radiation
- Burns
- Inherited skin conditions.
- Immunosuppression
- Fairs kin
- HPV
- Previous SCC
clinical features of SCC
• Squamous cell carcinoma insitu– BOWEN’S DISEASE.
One or more slowly enlarging erythematous of skin coloured plaques.
• Invasive Squamous cell carcinoma
Fast growing lesion.
Occur in a actinic keratosis on within SCC in-situ
Irregular keratinous nodule or a firm erythematous plaque and frequently ulcerates and bleeds
• Metastatic
Bone pain.
Hepatomegaly.
investigation of SCC
diagnosisc of clinical featuers
dermatoscope
biopsy - full thickness keratinocyte atypia
management of SCC
Urgent 2-week suspected cancer pathway.
Squamous cell carcinoma in situ 1st line- cryotherapy, electrodessication/curettage, photodynamic therapy 2nd line- fluorouracil, imiquimod Surgical excision or Mohs surgery radiotherapy
Invasive squamous carcinoma
1st line: surgical excision or Moh’s surgery.
Metastatic SCC
Surgery + radiotherapy + chemotherapy.
what is melanoma
cancer of uncontrolled growth of melanocytes (pigment cells)
aetiology of melanoma
- DNA mutation of oncogene/ tumour suppressor genes resulting in uncontrolled melanocyte growth
- melanocytes present in the skin, eye and CNS
- the gene associated with familial melanoma is CDKN2A which encodes the P16 and p14ARF gene
what are the different types of melanoma
- Superficial spreading Melanoma most common, any sight but preference for torso in men or legs in woman, average diagnosing age between 30 and 50
- nodular Melanoma second most common , any side to, diagnosis in 60s, rapid vertical growth and later stage and diagnosis
- Lentigo Maligna Melanoma Most commonly diagnosed > 60 yrs old on sun damaged
- Acral lentiginous melanoma most common in people with darker skin types, palms, soles and nail apparatus
clinical features of melanoma
- Most common on back or leg.
- First sign- freckle or mole.
- Variation in colour from tan, dark brown, blue, red and light grey.
- May be areas of regression that are the colour of normal skin, white and scarred.
- Can be itchy and tender
- Can be amelanotic
- Hutchinson’s sign (nail sign= blackness in the nail)
- Bluish white veil of melanoma.
- fixed lymphadenopathy
- A-E tool asymmetry of lesion, border irregularity, colour variability, diameter > 6mm, evolution
investigation of melanoma
Diagnosis of clinical features Dermatoscopic features Biopsy – diagnostic. Sentinel lymph node biopsy Serum lactate dehydrogenase used to classify metastatic disease can be elevated CXR may show pulmonary mets CDKN2A genetic test
management of melanoma
Non-Metastatic
In-situ (melanoma confined to epidermis)
• 1st line: surgical excision
• 2nd line: topical therapy (imiquimod)
Breslow < 1mm to > 4mm
• Surgical excision +/- lymph node biopsy.
Metastatic
• Surgical excision
• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
what is a leg ulcer
a break in the skin below the knee which has not healed within 2 weeks
which is the most common leg ulcer
venous ulcer - 80%
what is the aetiology of venous leg ulcer
due to pooling of blood and waste products in the skin secondary to venous deficiency (varicose veins, DVT, phlebitis etc)