Skin cancer Flashcards
What are the two main types of skin cancer?
Non-melanoma SC
Melanoma SC
What are the types of non-melanoma skin cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
What is the commonest form of human cancer?
Skin cancer
What % of skin cancers are non-melanoma?
90-95%
Which skin cancer causes 75% of skin cancer deaths?
melanoma
What cells do melanoma arise from?
Melanocytes
Which skin cancers are more likely to spread, melanoma or non-melanoma?
Melanoma
What is breslow thickness?
The distance between the upper layer of the epidermis and the deepest point of tumor penetration
What is the 5 year survival for breslow thickness <1mm?
95-100%
What is the 5 year survival for breslow thickness >4mm?
50%
What is the 5 year survival for breslow with metastases?
5%
What is the ABCDE of melanoma diagnosis?
Asymmetry Border Colour Diameter Evolution
What cancers make up 75% of all skin cancers?
Basal cell carcinomas
What do BCCs present as?
Slow growing lump or non-healing ulcer Translucent Painless Telangectasia Central ulceration
Are BCCs painless?
Yes
What are four types of BCC?
Superficial
Nodular
Morphoeic
Pigmented
What can treat most BCCs?
Skin surgery
What cancer makes up 20% of skin cancers?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Can SCCs be metastatic?
Yes
What is the presentation of SCCs?
Warty or crusted lumps or ulcers
Arise on sun-damaged skin
May be painful or bleed
Can spread if neglected
What are precursors to SCC?
Actinic Keratosis
Bowen’s disease
What is Keratocanthoma?
Self-resolving form of SCC
What are the risk factors for skin cancer?
Sun exposure
Genetic predisposition
Immunosuppression
Environmental carcinogens
What is Xeroderma pigmentosum?
DNA repair syndrome
Defect in one of seven nucleotide excision repair genes (NER A-G)