Skin cancer general

Question 1

Epidemiology of skin cancers

Answer 1

• the most COMMON malignancy
• incidence has doubled over 10 years
• mainly sun damaged areas
• 2% of cancer deaths
• 95% are SCC or BCC
• BCC 65% with 0.1% mortality
• SCC 30% with 5% mortality
• <5% melanoma with 10% mortality
• treatment of BCC and SCC very similar, melanoma need more definitive option
• biopsy is generally a good idea EXCEPT dont biopsy pigmented lesions (can miss melanoma)

Question 2

What are some general skin cancer risk factors?

Answer 2

• age
• sun bed use
• Hx of living overseas
• Hx of sunburn
• fair skin
• FH
• outdoor hobbies / occupations
• phototherapy

Question 3

Ways to assess skin lesions?

Answer 3

ABCDE

A - Asymmetry, break along two axis

B - Border (irregularity)

C - Colour, multiple colour is bad

D - Diameter, >7mm

E - Evolution / enlargement

or
“SEVEN POINT checklist” for MELANOMA:
score >3 means excision

1. size >7mm
2. recent change in size
3. irregular border
4. irregular pigmentation
5. itch or irritation
6. inflammation
7. oozing or inflammation

also look out for asymmetry and “ugly duckling” that stands out from others