Skin Cancer Flashcards
Two classifications of skin cancer
- Melanoma
* NON-Melanoma
most common type of basal cell cancer
Nodular basal cell cancer
Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma
1) Describe characteristics
~Bulky from lack of keratinization ~smooth pimple appearance ~Shiny and pearly white, pink or flesh colored ~Rarely metastasizes ~Often found on face, neck, head ~Pruritus
Risk factors for NON-MELANOMA
~Environmental (radiation, pollutant, trauma)
~Host factors (skin pigmentation & presence of pre-malignant lesions)
Three types of skin cancer
1) Superficial Spreading (Melanoma)
2) Basal Cell Cancer (Non-Melanoma)
3) Squamous Cell cancer (Non-Melanoma)
Daily Application of sun protection should be a minimum of _____SPF
15
Superficial Spreading Melanoma
1) Describe characteristics
~ Flat, Scaly, Crusty ~Asymmetrical w/ irregular borders ~Color: Mixture of brown, black, red, white, blue ~Diameter >6mm ~Trunk/back of men ~Legs of women
Skin is subject to damage caused by _____ and _____.
- UV Radiation
* Chemicals
what is the earliest recommended age to apply sunscreen?
6 months or older
Teaching points for skin cancer prevention (6)
1) avoid prolonged exposure
2) no tanning machines
3) Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
4) broad rimmed hat
5) sunglasses that block UV rays
6) head to toe skin exams
Leading cause of skin cancer
Exposure to the sun (tanning beds or sun)
Squamous Cell Cancer
1) Describe characteristics
~Small, firm, red, nodule
~Painful
~area around lesion hardens
~forehead, ears, hands
Examples of emerging pharmacological therapies (2)
1) Gene therapy
2) Immune Therapy
Diagnostic tests for skin cancer
1) Palpation of lymph nodes, liver, spleen
2) Biopsy
3) Tests for metastasis (ie, LFT’s, CBC, CXR, etc)
4) Microstaging
Aside from sun exposure, name four (4) other contributing risk factors for skin cancer.
1) Age
2) Skin type
3) Skin color
4) genetic predisposition
(TRUE) or (FALSE)
Women have a better prognosis with melanoma
true
How to apply sunscreen properly?
~30 minutes before exposure
~Reapply every two (2) hours
~Reapply immediately are swimming or periods of excessive perspiration
Most common site for metastasis of malignant melanoma
*Regional Lymph Nodes
Melanoma responds to __________ radiation
high dose
If a biopsy identifies the lesion as a melanoma, a _________ is performed that includes the ______________ of the skin.
- wide excision
* full thickness
Preferred treatment for melanoma
surgical excision
The assessment of the level of invasion of a malignant melanoma and the maximum tumor thickness
Microstaging
Three types of pharmacologic therapy for skin cancer
1) chemotherapy
2) Immunotherapy
3) emerging treatments (gene, immune therapy)
Risk factors for Melanoma
- frequent sun exposure
- fair skin, freckling, blond hair, blue eyes
- high number or moles / large moles
- Close relative with melanoma
- immune suppression
- <50 years of age
