Skin Flashcards
Diagnostic test of both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma
Full thickness incisional (or punch) biopsy done at the edge of the lesion (including normal skin)
Consider this type of skin cancer when you see a raised waxy lesion or a nonhealing ulcer. It has a preference for the upper part of the face (above a line drawn across the lips).
Basal cell carcinoma
How does basal cell carcinoma spread/kill
It does not metastasize but can kill by relentless local invasion (“rodent ulcer”).
Tx for basal cell carcinoma
Local excision with negative margins (1 mm is enough) is curative, but other lesions may develop later.
Which skin cancer shows up as a nonhealing ulcer, has a preference for the lower lip (and territories below a line drawn across the lips), and can metastasize to lymph nodes.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Tx for squamous cell carcinoma
Excision with wider margins is needed (0.5 to 2 cm), and node dissection is done if they are involved. Radiation treatment is another option.
ABCDE of melanoma
Asymmetry Borders (irregular) Color (different w/in lesion) Diameter (>0.5 cm) Evolution (change over time)
Suspect this in any pigmented lesion that changes in any way (grows, ulcerates, changes color and/or shape, bleeds, etc.)
Melanoma
Excision vs depth of melanoma
Lesions less than 1 mm deep have a good prognosis and only require local excision. Deeper lesions require excision with wide margins (2–3 cm). Lesions larger than 4 mm have a terrible prognosis. Lesions between 1 and 4 mm benefit most from aggressive therapy, including node dissection.
Where can metastatic malignant melanoma spread to?
All the usual places (lymph nodes, liver, lung, brain, and bone), but it also is the all-time champion for metastasizing to weird places (the muscle of the left ventricle, the wall of the duodenum. . . anywhere!). Furthermore, it has no predictable timetable. Some patients are full of metastases and dead within a few months of diagnosis; others go 20 years between the resection of their primary tumor and the sudden explosion of metastases.
Preferred adjuvant systemic tx for melanoma
Interferon
Most common cause of death from skin cancer
melanoma
Common pathway for increased risk of skin cancer
Excessive exposure to UV light, particularly UVB. Immunosuppression. For SCC and BCC, the risk is greatest with cumulative long-term UV exposure. With melanoma, blistering sunburns and overall sun exposure are risk factors. Skin cancer is also more common in patients who have fair-colored skin and hair and blue eyes.
Hair growth on skin nevi vs melanoma
Hair growth on a skin lesion suggests that it is a benign nevus. Melanomas destroy hair follicles.
Ugly duckling sign
Any skin lesion that looks different or out of place and thus an “ugly duckling,” in a nest of other similar appearing lesions is suspicious and recommended for biopsy.
On What Areas of the Skin Are Melanomas Most Likely to Occur in Non-white Ethnicities?
African American, Asian, and Hawaiian populations, melanomas most often occur on areas of nonexposed skin with less pigment such as the palms, soles, mucous membranes, and nail regions.
What Is the Most Common Site of Melanoma in Men Versus Women?
For men, the back is the most common site, while the legs are the most common site for women.
The most common site of digital melanoma
Great toe. Amputation and sentinel lymph node is the preferred treatment.
What Is a Nevi? Are Nevi a Risk for Malignant Transformation?
An additional risk factor for melanoma includes dysplastic nevus syndrome characterized by multiple dysplastic nevi with increased risk for progression towards melanoma (10 % risk).