Skin Cancer Flashcards
What are the 2 main types of skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer
Melanoma
Where do the majority of non-melanoma skin cancers arise from
Keratinocytes within the dermis
Where do BCC arise from
Keratinocytes within the basal layer of the epidermis
Where do SCC arise from
Suprabasal layers
Where does melanoma arise from
pigment-forming cells (melanocytes) which are scattered along the basal layer of the epidermis
What is causing an increase in incidence of skin cancer in scotland
More sun exposure due to more holidays
More sunbed use
More diagnostic opportunity
What type of skin cancer is the fastest increasing cancer in scotland
Melanoma
How do BCCs usually present
As a translucent, slow growing lump or a non-healing ulcer
Painless
How do SCCs present
Warty or crusted growth or a non-healing ulcer
usually in sun exposed areas and they grow faster.
Pain and have the ability to spread
Twice as many young women get melanoma but more men die. True or false
true
The survival of melanoma depends on what
Tumour depth
The 5 year survival rate for melanoma is great if the depth of the tumour is less than what?
1mm
In terms of dermatology and melanoma, what does ABCDE stand for
Asymmetry Border Colour Diameter Evolution
Odd looking moles are often termed as what
Ugly duckling sign
Why do some sites become ulcerated
Due to the poor blood supply
Melanomas are sometimes confused with what
Pigmented BCC
Are squamous cell carcinomas usually well differentiated or poorly differentiated
Well differentiated
What are Actinic Keratoses
Precancerous skin lesions
Describe the appearance of Bowen’s disease
erythematous plaque commonly found on the legs of older women
What is common in a keratoacanthoma
Central crater
What areas of the body are high risk for SCCs
Ear, scalp and lip
Where are common metastatic areas of SCCs
Lymph nodes and bones
What are some risk factors for skin cancer
Sun exposure Genetic predisposition Immunosuppression HPV infection Smoking, ionising radiation
How many skin types are there?
6
