Skin Tumour Management

Question 1

What are some of the indications/uses of skin biopsy?

Answer 1

Skin rashes:

• Assist in diagnosis

Skin tumours:

• Assist in diagnosis
• Remove malignancy
• Remove unwanted skin growth

Question 2

Why may the biopsy of a rash not provide a diagnosis ?

Answer 2

because different skin conditions may have the same histology e.g. different types of eczema

Question 3

What are the different surgical options for removing skin lesions?

Answer 3

• Electrosurgery
• Snip excision
• Curettage
• Shave excision
• Punch biopsy
• Elliptical excision

Question 4

What surgical method is the standard method of removal of most small skin lesions?

Answer 4

Elliptical excision

Question 5

What are some of the complications of skin biopsy’s ?

Answer 5

• Bleeding
• Wound dehiscence
• Infection
• Scarring
• Motor or sensory nerve damage
• Loss of function

Question 6

Describe the pathway for diagnosing melanomas

Answer 6

• Assess the skin lesion through clinical examination and then using a dermatoscope
• Then skin biopsy if e.g. skin cancer is suspected
• Biopsy of choice i think is elliptical

Question 7

What are the 5 layers of the sclap and the acronym to remember them ?

Answer 7

SCALP

• S - skin
• C - connective tissue
• A - apponeurosis
• L - loose connective tissue
• P - Parietal bone