Skin Cancer Overview Flashcards
what are the 2 main types of skin cancer?
non-melanomatous (from keratinocytes)
- BCC
- SCC
Melanoma (from melanocytes)
what is BCC?
arises from basal layer
what is SCC?
arises from suprabasal layer
how is skin cancer incidence changing?
increasing worldwide in fair skin populations
SCC increased 334% from 1990-2011
what is responsible for increase in skin cancer?
ageing population (mainly SCC) behavioural change
how common is melanoma?
only 6% of all skin cancers but 75% of skin cancer death
most common type in 16-24 year olds
but sees the same increase in incidence
why are melanomas dangerous?
melanocytes are mobile cells as they move to skin from neural crest so can therefore quickly metastasise (e.g via lymphatics)
what is Breslow thickness?
depth of tumour
how does Breslow thickness effect survival?
<1mm = 95-100% 5 year survival >4mm = 50% metastases = 5%
ABCDE of melanoma diagnoses?
Asymmetry Border Colour Diameter (>6mm) Evolution (changes over weeks/months)
how do you measure a mole?
take 2 measurements and then take same measurements again 6-8 weeks later
what is the ugly duckling sign?
one mole in a collection of many moles looks different
what colour are melanomas?
can be black, red, brown or colourless
what causes a halo (pale area) around a melanoma?
immune system attacking the cancer
are people with many moles at an increased risk of melanoma?
yes
even higher risk if anyone in family has had a melanoma
what is the most common skin cancer?
basal cell (75%)