Skin Surgery

Question 1

This presents as a raised waxy lesion or a nonhealing ulcer. It has a preference for the upper part of the face (above the lips)

Answer 1

Basal cell carcinoma

Question 2

This presents as a nonhealing ulcer with a preference for the lower lip:

Answer 2

Squamous cell carcinoma

Question 3

T/F: You can use radiation to treat squamous cell carcinomas.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

This should always be suspected in any pigmented lesion that changes in any way (grows, ulcerates, changes color and/or shape):

Answer 4

melanoma

Question 5

What is the ABCD of melanoma?

Answer 5

Asymmetric
Borders irregular
Colors (different within lesion)
Diameter > 0.5cm

Question 6

What is the treatment of melanoma?

Answer 6

Lesions less than 1 mm deep = local excision
Lesions > 1 mm deep = excision with wide margins (2-3 cm)
Lesions > 4 mm have a terrible prognosis (between 1-4mm benefit from aggressive therapy, including node dissection)

Question 7

T/F: Melanomas can metastasize to weird places, including the muscle of the left ventricle or the wall of duodenum!

Answer 7

True!

Question 8

What is the typical timeline for metastases of melanoma?

Answer 8

Unpredictable! Some die within months with metastatic disease; some don’t develop metastases until 20 years after resection of primary tumor