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Dermatology & Haematology > Skin Cancer > Flashcards

Skin Cancer Flashcards

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Dermatology Board Prep flashcards
1
Q

What is basal cell carcinoma?

A

Malignant tumour of epidermal keratinocytes

Locally invasive, rarely metastasises

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2
Q

Risk factors of BCC?

A 
UV exposure
Frequent sunburn in childhood
Fair skin, skin type 1
Age
Male
Immunodeficiency
Genetics
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3
Q

What types of BCC are there? Describe.

A

Nodular (most common)

Superficial (plaque like)

Cystic, pigmented, others

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4
Q

Describe nodular BCC. Where are they most commonly?

And superficial BCC?

A

Nodular:

  • Small, skin coloured
  • Papule or nodule
  • Telangiectasia
  • Pearly rolled edge
  • Could have necrotic or ulcerated centre (rodent ulcer)
  • Usually head and neck

Superficial: plaque-like

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5
Q

What is a rodent ulcer?

A

A BCC which has become ulcerated or necrotic in the centre

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6
Q

Management of BCC?

A

Surgical excision is gold standard

Micrographic surgery
Radiotherapy
Topical Aldara cream

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7
Q

How does Aldara cream work?

A

Makes the BCC a target for T cells, so the attack. Can cure the BCC

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8
Q

What is squamous cell carcinoma?

A

Malignant tumour of epidermal keratinocytes and appendages (so sebaceous glands, hair follicles etc.)

Locally invasive and has potential to metastasise

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9
Q

Risk factors for SCC?

A

UV exposure

Actinic keratosis: a pre-malignant skin condition

Chronic inflammation: leg ulcers, wound scars

Immunosupression
Genetics

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10
Q

What is actinic keratosis?

A

Pre-malignant skin condition

Potential to become SCC

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11
Q

What is Bowen’s disease?

A

An early form of SCC

The abnormal cells are only in the epidermis

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12
Q

Presentation of SCC?

A

Keratotic (crusty, scaly)
Ill-defined
Ulceration

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13
Q

Management of SCC?

A

Surgical excision (gold standard)

Micrographic surgery
Radiotherapy

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14
Q

What is malignant melanoma?

A

Malignant tumour of epidermal melanocytes

Locally invasive and likely to metastasise

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15
Q

Risk factors of MM?

A 
UV exposure
Fair skin, skin type 1
Lots of moles
Atypical moles
Family history
Previous MM
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16
Q

Presentation of MM?

A

A suspicious mole: think ABCDE

Asymmetry
Borders irregular
Colour: different colours
Diameter >6mm
Evolution: changing shape, size, colour

Can itch and bleed
Often on legs in women and trunk in men

17
Q

What is the ABCDE rule?

A

Signs that point to MM

Asymmetry
Borders irregular
Colour: different colours
Diameter >6mm
Evolution + elevation (raised): changing shape, size, colour
18
Q

What types of MM are there? Which patients are commonly affected by each type?

A

Superficial spreading: flatter, lower limbs, young people, intermittent high intensity UV exposure

In-situ: only present in epidermis so no chance it could metastasise

Nodular: nodule, trunk, as above

Lentigo: face, elderly, long term exposure to UV

Acral lentigous: palms, soles, nail beds, elderly, no clear relation with UV

19
Q

Management of MM?

A

Surgical excision (gold standard)

Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy for metastatic disease

Immunotherapy: B-Raf

20
Q

Where does MM commonly metastasise to?

A

Liver
Lungs
Bones
Brain

Eyes

21
Q

A patient has a changing pigmented lesion. What’s the differential diagnosis?

A

MM

Melanocytic naevi

Seborrhoeic wart

22
Q

What is a melanocytic naevus?

  • History
  • Appearance
  • Sites
  • Management
A

Develop during infancy, childhood, adolescence

Asymptomatic

Can be anything: large, small, flat, raised, dark, hairy

Seen all over body

No management needed

23
Q

What is a Seborrhoeic wart?

  • History
  • Appearance
  • Sites
  • Management
A

Arise in middle age or elderly

Often have many

Warty, greasy papule or nodule
‘Stuck on’
Well defined edges

Often on face or trunk

No management needed

24
Q

What is skin type 1?

A

Always burns never tans

25
Q

Where are the lymph nodes that are usually involved in cancer?

A

Cervical
Axillary
Inguinal

Can get popliteal

26
Q

How is MM staged?

A

Breslow’s thickness: risk of recurrence

TNM

Dermatology & Haematology (8 decks)

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