Skin Cancer and Health Maintenance

Question 1

Monthly self-examinations are recommended for persons with:

Answer 1

personal hx of skin cancer
1st degree family hx of skin cancer
precursor lesions
sun damaged skin
Yearly clinician skin exams for patients at high risk
Some patients may need exams every six months

Question 2

Melanoma

Answer 2

the most serious form of skin cancer, it is a malignant tumor arising from melanocytes.
3rd most common skin CA

Question 3

Melanoma 4 basic types

Answer 3

Superficial spreading melanoma:Most common type. Has flat or slightly raised discolored patch with irregular borders and asymmetrical form
Lentigo maligns: flat or mildly elevated mottled tan, brown or dark brown discoloration. seen on elderly patients
Acral lentiginous melanoma: black or brown discoloration under the nails, soles of the feet, or palms of the hands. Most common melanoma in African-Americans and Asians
Nodular melanoma: most aggressive. not In situ like the others. Tumor is black, occasionally blue, grey, white, brown, red or skin tone

Question 4

ABCs of Melanoma

Answer 4

Asymmetry (irregular or raised)
Border irregularity (dark or inhomogeneous)
Color (multiple colors/shades)
Diameter (>6mm)
Enlargement or evolution

Question 5

Prognostic Features Melanoma

Answer 5

Good prognosis: Breslow 4mm

Question 6

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Answer 6

Most common malignancy!
Abnormal uncontrolled growth that arise in the skin’s basal cells which line the deepest layer of the epidermis
Almost never spread beyond original tumor site

Question 7

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Answer 7

Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cell from squamous cells
Often look like scaly red patches
Cause is from UV exposure over a lifetime
May occur in all areas of the body
Often begins as AK’s
Bowen’s disease (carcinoma in situ stage)