Skin Cancer Flashcards
what are the two main groups of skin cancers?
melanoma
non melanoma
what are the two main non melanoma skin cancers?
basal cell carcinoma
squamous cell carcinoma
from which skin cells do non melanoma skin cancers arise?
keratinocytes
true or false: melanoma arises from keratinocytes
false
from melanocytes
true or false: squamous cell carcinoma is more common than basal cell carcinoma
false
true or false: melanoma is the most common cancer in 15-24 year olds
true
which sex is melanoma more common in?
female
what determines the prognosis in melanoma?
depth of the melanoma
breslow thickness
what is the % survival for melanoma less than 1mm in 5 years?
95-100%
true or false: thinner melanomas have a better prognosis than thicker ones
true
what is the ABCDE approach to diagnosing melanoma?
asymmetry borders colour diameter evolution
true or false: if a mole is fast growing and very dark black it is not worrying
false
true or false: basal cell carcinomas are fast growing
false
are basal cell carcinomas usually painful?
no
describe the appearance of basal cell carcinoma
pearly lump
telangiectasia
central ulceration
what is the most common cause of squamous cell carcinoma?
UV exposure
true or false: squamous cell carcinoma is fast growing
true
true or false: both basal and squamous cell carcinomas are likely to metastasise?
false
basal cell carcinoma wont
describe the appearance of squamous cell carcinoma
hyperkeratotic lump
may be painful
may bleed
name two precursor lesions that can become squamous cell carcinoma
bowen’s disease
actinic keratosis
how do actinic keratoses arise?
sun damage
describe bowen’s disease
erythematous plaques
list risk factors for skin cancer
sun exposure
genetics
environmental carcinogens
describe skin type I
always burns
never tans
describe skin type II
usually burns
sometimes tans
describe skin type III
usually tans
can burn
describe skin type IV
always tans
never burns
describe skin type V
brown skin
describe skin type VI
black skin
list three genetic diseases that increase the risk of skin cancer
xeroderma pigmentosum
albinism
gorlin’s syndrome
what is another name for gorlin’s syndrome?
naevoid basal cell carcinoma
what is xeroderma pigmentosum?
photosensitivity disease caused by a defect in NER genes
causes skin cancer
what is gorlin’s disease?
autosomal dominant disease featuring multiple basal cell carcinomas
which UV radiation is most harmful?
UVC
what blocks out UVC radiation so that we are never exposed?
the ozone layer
what protects us from UVB radiation?
window glass
suncream
what is the effect of UV radiation on DNA?
damages DNA, causing mutations
what is the signature DNA mutation caused by UV?
pyrimidine dimer mutation
skin type I individuals have which type of melanin instead of eumelanin which doesn’t absorb UVR effectively?
pheomelanin
what does 1 mutation in the MC1R gene cause?
freckles
what do 2 mutations in the MC1r gene cause?
freckles
red hair
what is the scientific name for freckles?
ephelides
what are freckles?
patchy increases in melanin pigment
what are actinic lentigines?
age spots caused by UV exposure
what is a naevus?
birthmark or mole on the skin
true or false: naevi can develop into melanoma
true
how do acquired naevi develop?
at birth, the melanocyte to keratinocyte ratio breaks down, allowing formation of benign naevi
where are melanocytes located in a junctional naevus?
at the DEJ
where are melanocytes located in a compound naevus?
in the DEJ and dermis
where are melanocytes located in an intradermal naevus?
the dermis
what size are dysplastic naevi?
generally over 6mm
list the four main types of melanoma
superficial spreading
acral lentiginous
lentigo maligna
nodular
what is the most common type of melanoma?
superficial spreading
