Skin cancer Flashcards
Types
Malignant melanoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma
What is malignant melanoma
Cancer of melanocytes
What is squamous cell carcinoma
Cancer of squamous cells
What is Basal cell carcinoma
Cancer of the basal cells
Malignant melanoma pathophysiology
Melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis.
Spread out within the epidermis (if within epidermis then melanoma in situ, if grown through the dermis then invasive).
Metastases can occur virtually anywhere.
Aetiology of malignant melanoma
Strong association with sun exposure. Those with over 100 moles (or >2 atypical) have 5-20 fold increased risk
*Clinical presentation of malignant melanoma
Distinguished from moles by Asymmetry Border irregularity Colour variation Diameter Elevation (Evolving?)
Epidemiology of malignant melanoma
More common in caucasians
Diagnostic tests of skin cancer
Clinical examination then biopsy
Treatment of malignant melanoma
Wide local excision
Metastases are resistant to all treatments
Complications of malignant melanoma
Metastasis
Pathophysiology of squamous cell carcinoma
*Arises from the keratinising cells of the epidermis or its appendages.
Locally invasive, and has the potential to metastasise (rarely).
Aetiology of squamous cell carcinoma
Strong association with sunlight.
Immunosuppression associated with multiple tumours.
Epidemiology of squamous cell carcinoma
20% of non melanoma skin cancers
*Clinical presentation of squamous cell carcinoma
ill defined nodules that ulcerate easily and grow rapidly.
Keratotic (hard raised edges).
Sun exposed sites.
Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma
Local excision
Radiotherapy (occasionally)
Complications of squamous cell carcinoma
Metastases are rare (5%) but very hard to treat
Pathophysiology of basal cell carcinoma
Slow growing, locally invasive malignant epidermal tumour.
Thought to arise from hair follicles.
Infiltrates local tissues through slow irregular growth of fingerlike outgrowths
Aetiology of basal cell carcinoma
Sun exposure.
Genetic predisposition.
Increasing age, male sex are RF.
Epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma
80% of non-melanoma skin cancers
*Clinical presentation of basal cell carcinoma
Sun exposed areas.
Early: Small, translucent or pearly and have raised areas with telangiectasia.
Later: Indurated edge and ulcerated centre.
Treatment of basal cell carcinoma
Local excision
Radiotherapy
Cryotherapy
Photodynamic therapy
Complications of basal cell carcinoma
Metastases are rare (5%) but very hard to treat.
Damage occurs if local spread reaches other structures.
