Skin cancer Flashcards
What are the two main types of skin cancer?
Melanoma
Non-melanoma
Which of the two main types is the most common?
non-melanoma
Where do non-melanomas arise from?
Keratinocytes within the epidermis
Where do basal cell carcinomas arise from?
The keratinocytes within the basal layer
Where do melanoma skin cancers come from?
The melanocytes in the basal layer
Which is the most serious form?
Melanomas
Which nationality has the most cases of skin cancer?
Australian
How do BCC usually appear?
Translucent, painless, slow growing lump
How do SCC present?
Warty or crusted growth.
Tend to rise on sundamaged skin.
How are melanomas staged?
According to breslow thickness.
What is the ABCDE rule in diagnosing melanomas?
Asymmetry Border Colour Diameter Evolution
What is an actinic keratoses?
precancerous skin lesions.
Multiple scaly lesions
What are the risk factors for skin cancer?
Sun exposure
Genetic predisposition
Immunosuppression
HPV infection
What are the 6 types of skin?
1-4
Always burns - always tans
5 brown skin
6 black skin
Where on the body are SCCs more likely to develop?
head, neck, hands and forearms.
True or False?
Sunburn as a child increases the risk of melanomas later in life.
True
What is xeroderma pigmentosum?
A defect in a nucleotide which causes photosensitivity and neurological degeneration.
If the tumour depth is >4mm what is the 5 year survival rate?
50%
If the tumour has metastasised what is the 5 year survival rate?
5%
What kind of skin cancer has a pearly white appearance?
BCC
What is Bowen’s disease?
Carcinoma in situ - stage 0.
cancerous cells present but no infiltration
True or False?
BCC are more common in sun damaged skin.
False!
SCC are more common in sundamaged skin
How do SCC present?
Lump or ulcer, grows quickly, may be painful or bleed.
Name a common tumour suppressor gene
p53
