Skin Lesions Flashcards
Most important risk factor for development of skin cancer
exposure to natural and artificial UV radiation
Other risk factors for skin cancer besides exposure
family history, prior history, fair skin, red/blonde hair, easily sunburnt, chronic exposure to toxic compounds such as creosote, arsenic, radium, and suppressed immune system
Types of melanoma (+1 not quite a melanoma)
superficial spreading melanoma, lentigo maligna, amelanotic melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma, nodular melanoma melanoma in situ
Which melanoma has no invasion and is localized to dermis
melanoma in situ…if diagnosed early, should be excised with 5mm borders
What is the most common type of melanoma, clinical features of raised borders and brown lesions with pinks, whites, grays, blues
superficial spreading melanoma
Which melanoma is most often found in elderly, but is less common than other types, very irregular borders
lentigo maligna
Which melanoma usually remains undiagnosed
amelanotic melanoma
Most common melanoma found in AAs and Asians
acral lentiginous melanoma
Which is the most aggressive melanoma and is usually invasive by time of diagnosis
nodular melanoma; mostly black
What criteria can you use to help find suspicious lesions?
ABCD criteria
ABCD criteria for suspicious lesions)
Asymmetry Borders (irregular) Color (different colors) Diameter (>6mm) Elevation (raised) Evolving (enlarging, thickening, or bleeding)
What can also be done in office to evaluate skin lesions
dermoscopy
Which lesions should be excised immediately
Any preexisting nevus that has changed or any new pigmented lesions with ABCDE signs with 2-3mm margin around lesions
If you can’t immediately excise for cosmetic reasons, what can you do to help figure out malignancy?
biopsy….then if positive, then excision
Malignant melanomas need an excision of at least…
5mm
Once a malignant lesion is identified, how often should a patient be checked
Annually for any new or changing skin lesions
Biggest indicator for prognosis of melanoma
thickness
1 = poorer prognoses, more likely to metastasize
Who is recommended for behavioral counseling regarding sun exposure and skin cancer prevention
between 10-24 who are fair skinned
What are other skin malignancies other than melanoma
Basal cell and squamous cell
Most common of all cancers
basal cell carcinoma
Typical features of basal cell carcinoma
pearly papules often with central ulceration or with multiple telangietctasias
presents with growing lesions sometimes bleeding/itching
Prognosis for basal cell and squamous cell
basal cell less likely to metastasize but potential to grow large and destructive…excise that shit nigga
squamous cell more likely to metastasize (but still not very likely)
Tan colored lesions on sun damaged skin with very irregular borders, more common in elderly
lentigo maligna
