Skin Cancer: Types

Question 1

What type(s) of skin cancer affect the top layers of the skin (epithelium)?

Answer 1

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

Question 2

What does basal cell carcinoma look like?

Answer 2

Small and shiny bump

Question 3

What does squamous cell carcinoma look like?

Answer 3

Scaly and red

Question 4

Where does basal cell carcinoma most commonly appear?

Answer 4

Head, neck, arms, face, and hands

Question 5

Where does squamous cell carcinoma usually appear?

Answer 5

Lips, face, ears, neck

Question 6

Which layer of skin does melanoma affect?

Answer 6

Melanocyte layer

Question 7

Where on the body does melanoma usually occur?

Answer 7

Head, neck, Backs of men, Legs of women

Question 8

Where do all cells that become skin cancer reside?

Answer 8

In the epidermis (They are exposed to UV radiation, and UV stops at the epidermis.)

Question 9

Which skin cells secrete melanin?

Answer 9

melanocytes

Question 10

What are two treatments for basal cell carcinoma?

Answer 10

1) Surgery

2) If surgery margins not clear, treat with Efudix (Fluorouracil)

Question 11

What treatment for basal cell carcinoma kills off the epidermis? how does it do this?

Answer 11

Efudix (Fluorouracil); It damages RNA by halting translation.

Question 12

What are the ABCDE for diagnosing melanoma?

Answer 12

A = Asymmetrical
B = Border hard to distinguish
C = Color (multicolor)
D = Diameter (larger than a pencil eraser)
E = Evolving (changing quickly and with exposure)

Question 13

How many of the ABCDE’s are needed to diagnose melanoma?

Answer 13

Only 1