Skin cancers Flashcards
What is the difference between solar lentigenes and freckles?
freckles fade in the winter and become inapparent in older ppl, whereas solar lentigines remain for life and become more prominent with aging
, benign, bright red to violaceous, domed vascular lesions. They generally appear first around age 30 and increase in number over the years
cherry angiomas
When should you do an excisional biopsy a lesion?
anytime a melanoma is suspected
the most serious form of skin cancer. accounts for majority of skin cancer deaths. it is a malignant tumor arising from melanocytes.
melanoma
Precursor lesions of melanoma
dysplastic nevi and giant hairy nevus
ABCs of melanoma
asymmetry, border irregularity, color, diameter, enlargement
refers to tumor thickness
breslow thickness
refers to anatomical descriptor (anatomical planes) of depth (I-V) of the malignant cells, “to dermis but not subq” etc
clark level
Most common subtype of melanoma that grows superficiallly and has good prognosis if caught early. Common btw 30-50yrs
superficial spreading
Subtype of melanoma that is invasive from the onset, poor prognosis. Any site, has rapid vertical growth and typically diagnosed at later stage. Most frequently diagnosed in 6th decade of life
nodular melanoma
Subtype of melanoma with tendency for head and neck. More common in elderly w/skin damage. Least aggressive
lentigo maligna
Occurs on palms, soles, subungual areas, and mucous membranes. Most common in people with darker skin types. Commonly diagnosed at advanced stage, poor prognosis
Acral Lentiginous Melanoma
Longitudinal pigmented streak that extends from proximal or lateral nail fold
Hutchinson’s sign
Pigmented nevus surrounded by de-pigmented zone
halo nevus
Most common malignancy in humans, esp whites. Arise from basal layer of epidermis and is caused by DNA damage of keratinocytes
basal cell carcinoma
Typical appearance: translucent/pearly white papule with telangiectasias over the surface that slowly enlarges, with subsequent development of a central ulceration
basal cell carcinoma
Where do most basal cell carcinomas occur?
on the face
Surgical technique where thin layers of tumor tissue are removed and then examined microscopically
Moh’s micrographic surgery
Arises from malignant proliferation of the keratinocytes of the epidermis. 2nd most common skin CA worldwide
squamous cell carcinoma
How does SCC often begin?
actinic keratosis
refers to carcinoma in situ, which is the next level following Actinic Keratosis. nonhealing, slowly enlarging erythematous patch with sharp but irregular outline
Bowen’s Disease
flesh-colored nodule that enlarges and often undergoes ulceration and crusting (***lesion may be keratotic with a thickened surface)
invasive SCC
Treatment for Bowen’s disease
Surgical excision of the lesion. Cryotherapy. 5-FU (Efudex) for 6 weeks under occlusion
Cutaneous tumor that presents as a dome-shaped nodule with a central keratin-filled crater. Develops on hair-bearing, sun-exposed skin. Middle-aged and elderly adults with fair complexions are most frequently affected
keratoacanthoma
