Skin cancer Flashcards
Types of skin cancer
Melanoma
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Features of melanoma
Highest mortality rate
Most common in young adults
Can develop anywhere
Risk factors for melanoma
FHx Personal Hx Light eye, skin and hair colour Freckles Immunosuppression Multiple melanocytic naevi (moles)
Melanoma description
A - Asymmetrical B - Ill defined borders C - Pigmented lesion D - diameter or depth E - Bleeds, ulcerates, growth
Pathology of melanoma
Proliferation of melanocytes
Melanocyte function
Protection from UV radiation
Provides skin pigmentation
Preventing melanoma
Wear hat Wear long sleeves Sunscreen Sunglasses Regular skin checks
Treatment for melenoma
Surgery - excision or cryotherapy
Immunotherapy - Pembrolizumab - PD -1
or vemurafenib for BRAF +ve melanoma
(chemoradiotherapy resistant)
Investigations for melanoma
Bloods
Biopsy - wide local excision
Lymph node biopsy
CTPA/ PET scan
Side effects of immunotherapy
Triggers autoimmune conditions such as hypothyroidism and rheumatoid conditions
Worsens T1DM
Skin erythema
Steven Johnson syndrome
Diarrhoea + nausea
Pneumonitis - cough and SOB
Nephritis
Guillian Bairre syndrome
Paraesthesia
How to grade toxicity
ESMO
How to treat treatment induced diarrhoea
IV fluids and electrolytes
Loperamide
IV methylprednisolone - prevents perforation
Who to refer to
Dermatology - Skin MDT
Basal cell skin cancer features
Develops on sun exposed areas such as neck and face
Slow growth
Unlikely to metastasise
Most common
Risk factors for basal cell carcinoma
Actinic keratosis
