skin cancers

Question 1

what is a scc?

Answer 1

local invasive malignancy of keratinocytes or its appendages, can mets

scaly, crusty, ill defined, nodular

in situ = outer layers

invasive = inner

then mets

Question 2

risk factors for SCC?

Answer 2

UV radiation !

previous skin cancer
light skin
older age
chronic inflammation
immunosuppression

Question 3

how is SCC diagnosed and treated

Answer 3

diagnosis

1st line biopsy
consider CT/PET

manage

1st line

avoid sun
destructive therapy e.g cryotherapy.

second line = surgical excision

3rd but cant resect - radiotherapy

chemo if metastatic

Question 4

what is a melanoma?

Answer 4

invasive malignancy of epidermal melanocytes

Question 5

how do you determine if a skin mole is concerning?

Answer 5

A-E approach

Asymmetry
irregular border
colour differences 
diameter >6mm 
evolving

Question 6

diagnosis of melanoma?

Answer 6

2 week wait

excisional biopsy is gold standard

Question 7

red flags of melanoma?

Answer 7

change in size, colour, bleeding, discharging, itching or ulceration

this is important safety netting, good to warn patient

Question 8

how can melanomas be managed?

Answer 8

surgical treatment

1) wide local excision
2) sentinel node bopsy
3) lymph adenoctomy

medical
radio/chemo/immunotherapy