Week 11: Derm Flashcards
Any sore that does not heal within _______ weeks should be examined for the possibility of skin cancer.
Four
Part of screening for cancerous lesions is teaching your patient what to look for. What acronym is used for screening for lesions suspicious of melanoms?
Asymmetry
Border irregularity
Color (esp. black, blue)
Diameter >6mm
Evolving
What kind of things would you teach your patient to look for when screening for BCC?
Teach Your Patient What to Look For:
* Firm, flesh-coloured or slightly reddish bump, often with a pearly border and may have telangiectasia
* Whitish scar where there is no reason for scarring
* Sore or pimple-like growth that bleeds, crusts over, and then reappears
(Per weekly notes)
What kind of things would you teach your patient to look for when screening for Actinic Keratoses?
Teach your patient what to look for:
* Red, rough scaling spots
* Lesions that appear on sun-exposed areas such as the face, lips, ears, balding scalp, back of hand, forearm and leg.
* Usually people have a few at one time, and the spots may sting or itch
(Per weekly notes)
What kind of things would you teach your patient to look for when screening for Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Teach your patient what to look for:
* Thickened, red scaly bumps, or wart like growths.
* An open sore or crusted skin
* Lesion with a central crater and rolled edges
* May grow quickly over a few weeks
* Small, red scaling patches most often seen on trunk or limbs
(per weekly notes)
What kind of things would you teach your patient to look for when screening for Bowels disease? What is Bowen’s disease?
SCC in situ
Teach Your Patient What to Look for:
* Bowen’s disease usually appears as a patch on the skin with clear edges and does not heal.
* Some people have more than 1 patch
* The patch may be:
o red or pink
o scaly or crusty
o flat or raised
o up to a few centimeters across
o itchy (but not all the time)
True or False: Experts haven’t recommended for or against routine skin cancer screening for adults at normal risk
True (see cit below)
Mass skin cancer screening of the entire population is unlikely to be beneficial, feasible, and/or cost-effective. (Up To date)
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2016). Screening for skin cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA, 316(4): 429–435. DOI:10.1001/jama.2016.8465. Accessed July 27, 2016.
Some guidelines (Canadian cancer society) suggest screening for skin cancer in high risk populations. How is screening done?
Up To Date recommends targeted screening of high risk groups, along with focused patient and provider education for warning signs. For patients at high risk of developing a melanoma, Up To Date suggests annual screening with TBSE (total body skin exam) by clinician with skin expertise.
Some guidelines suggest screening for skin cancer in high risk populations. What makes a patient high risk?
Risk factors
-Holy moly! (total nevus count >50, presence of large nevi
-Phx skin cancer
-Immunosuppression, esp. use of medications to suppress immune system (i.e., organ transplant recipients)
-very sun sensitive individuals and those with red hair phenotype (light skin pigmentation, red or blond hair, high density freckling, light eye color like green, hazel, blue)
-fhx melanoma in 1+ FDR or in more than one 2nd degree relative on same side.
-Specific to older adults- up to date suggest examination of white men 50+ as they are at increased risk of melanoma compared to other patients (sun exposed areas)
When prescribing a topical steroid medication, what factors must the provider consider?
Anatomic site
Patient preference
Rash attributes
Vehicle attributes
Which anatomic site would require a higher potency steroid- an acral site or an intertriginous area? Why?
Acral site.
Acral sites- palms and soles- very thick skin- absorb medications the least, can withstand a mid to high potency steroid.
Intertriginous sites- where skin folds touch- i.e., groin folds, axillae, gluteal cleft- thinner skin, often prone to moisture/ occlusion which can increase steroid absorption- a weak steroid is needed.
What is the best steroid vehicle (i.e., lotion, cream, ointment, etc.) is best used on hair bearing skin?
Gels, lotions, shampoo, oil, foam
How does patient preference dictate vehicle?
Patient may be unwilling to use greasy cream- avoid ointment
What kinds of rash require a higher potency steroid?
-Thick, scaly skin
-Lichenified skin
-severe psoriasis
-rashes on palms, soles, scalp
-hyperkeratotic lesions (i.e., hyperkeratotic eczema)
-lichen planus/ scelrosus/ simplex
There are 7 “groups” of steroid potency. What group is the highest potency? Lowest?
Group 1= ULTRA high potency
Group 2, 3= high potency
Group 4,5= mid potency
Group 6,7= low potency
True or false: The vehicle by which a steroid is applied affects potency.
True!
Ointments are more potency compared with other vehicles.
True or false: The vehicle by which a steroid is applied can contribute to skin irritation
True- alcohol based solutions can be irritating on inflammed skin
Propylene glycol (found in many topicals) can sometimes cause irritant contact dermatitis
Jeremy has severe psoriasis. You instruct him to apply an ultra high potency steroid no more than ____ times daily
a) once
b) twice
c) three
d) four
Answer: B
Ultra high potency steroids should be limited to daily or BID.
How long will you instruct Jeremy to use his ultra high potency steroid for?
Less than 2-4 weeks
You can follow with a less potent agent if needed
What kind of adverse effects are we concerned about when using a topical steroid?
skin atrophy
acne
telangiectasia and irreversible striae with prolonged use
if on eyelids: glaucoma, cataracts
rarely: adrenal suppression, withdrawal reactions (more so a consideration with high potency and occlusive dressing/ young kids)
risk of OP apparently if high doses of group 3+ steroids
Rank from least to most occlusive:
Cream
Lotion
Ointment
Least: lotion
intermediate: cream
Most: ointment
What body areas would a lotion be good for?
axillae, groin
hair areas
acute weeping lesions
large areas
*may cause stinging, dryness
What body areas would a cream be good for
non acute/ wet lesions
intertriginous areas
cosmetically acceptable
does not hydrate as much as ointment
What body area would an ointment be good for?
Palms, soles
Anything with a dry/ scaly/ hyperkeratinized lesion