Skin Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

what are the two main groups of skin cancers?

A

melanoma

non melanoma

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2
Q

what are the two main non melanoma skin cancers?

A

basal cell carcinoma

squamous cell carcinoma

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3
Q

from which skin cells do non melanoma skin cancers arise?

A

keratinocytes

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4
Q

true or false: melanoma arises from keratinocytes

A

false

from melanocytes

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5
Q

true or false: squamous cell carcinoma is more common than basal cell carcinoma

A

false

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6
Q

true or false: melanoma is the most common cancer in 15-24 year olds

A

true

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7
Q

which sex is melanoma more common in?

A

female

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8
Q

what determines the prognosis in melanoma?

A

depth of the melanoma

breslow thickness

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9
Q

what is the % survival for melanoma less than 1mm in 5 years?

A

95-100%

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10
Q

true or false: thinner melanomas have a better prognosis than thicker ones

A

true

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11
Q

what is the ABCDE approach to diagnosing melanoma?

A
asymmetry 
borders 
colour 
diameter 
evolution
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12
Q

true or false: if a mole is fast growing and very dark black it is not worrying

A

false

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13
Q

true or false: basal cell carcinomas are fast growing

A

false

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14
Q

are basal cell carcinomas usually painful?

A

no

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15
Q

describe the appearance of basal cell carcinoma

A

pearly lump
telangiectasia
central ulceration

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16
Q

what is the most common cause of squamous cell carcinoma?

A

UV exposure

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17
Q

true or false: squamous cell carcinoma is fast growing

A

true

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18
Q

true or false: both basal and squamous cell carcinomas are likely to metastasise?

A

false

basal cell carcinoma wont

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19
Q

describe the appearance of squamous cell carcinoma

A

hyperkeratotic lump
may be painful
may bleed

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20
Q

name two precursor lesions that can become squamous cell carcinoma

A

bowen’s disease

actinic keratosis

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21
Q

how do actinic keratoses arise?

A

sun damage

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22
Q

describe bowen’s disease

A

erythematous plaques

23
Q

list risk factors for skin cancer

A

sun exposure
genetics
environmental carcinogens

24
Q

describe skin type I

A

always burns

never tans

25
Q

describe skin type II

A

usually burns

sometimes tans

26
Q

describe skin type III

A

usually tans

can burn

27
Q

describe skin type IV

A

always tans

never burns

28
Q

describe skin type V

A

brown skin

29
Q

describe skin type VI

A

black skin

30
Q

list three genetic diseases that increase the risk of skin cancer

A

xeroderma pigmentosum
albinism
gorlin’s syndrome

31
Q

what is another name for gorlin’s syndrome?

A

naevoid basal cell carcinoma

32
Q

what is xeroderma pigmentosum?

A

photosensitivity disease caused by a defect in NER genes

causes skin cancer

33
Q

what is gorlin’s disease?

A

autosomal dominant disease featuring multiple basal cell carcinomas

34
Q

which UV radiation is most harmful?

A

UVC

35
Q

what blocks out UVC radiation so that we are never exposed?

A

the ozone layer

36
Q

what protects us from UVB radiation?

A

window glass

suncream

37
Q

what is the effect of UV radiation on DNA?

A

damages DNA, causing mutations

38
Q

what is the signature DNA mutation caused by UV?

A

pyrimidine dimer mutation

39
Q

skin type I individuals have which type of melanin instead of eumelanin which doesn’t absorb UVR effectively?

A

pheomelanin

40
Q

what does 1 mutation in the MC1R gene cause?

A

freckles

41
Q

what do 2 mutations in the MC1r gene cause?

A

freckles

red hair

42
Q

what is the scientific name for freckles?

A

ephelides

43
Q

what are freckles?

A

patchy increases in melanin pigment

44
Q

what are actinic lentigines?

A

age spots caused by UV exposure

45
Q

what is a naevus?

A

birthmark or mole on the skin

46
Q

true or false: naevi can develop into melanoma

A

true

47
Q

how do acquired naevi develop?

A

at birth, the melanocyte to keratinocyte ratio breaks down, allowing formation of benign naevi

48
Q

where are melanocytes located in a junctional naevus?

A

at the DEJ

49
Q

where are melanocytes located in a compound naevus?

A

in the DEJ and dermis

50
Q

where are melanocytes located in an intradermal naevus?

A

the dermis

51
Q

what size are dysplastic naevi?

A

generally over 6mm

52
Q

list the four main types of melanoma

A

superficial spreading
acral lentiginous
lentigo maligna
nodular

53
Q

what is the most common type of melanoma?

A

superficial spreading