homeostatic imbalances of the skin Flashcards
(35 cards)
skin cancer is induced by what
the ultraviolet rays of the sun
skin cancer is most common in what people
in fair skinned and elderly. As elderly have thinning of epidermis and dermis, so loose immune cells
how common and treatable is skin cancer
one of the most common cancers but also easiest to treat
whats the survival rate of skin cancer
highest survival rate when treated early
do skin cancers spread
Most skin tumors are benign (doesn’t spread to other sites) and do not metastasize
Skin cancers form because of what
an interplay between genes and environment.
- Crucial risk factor for non melanoma skin cancers is disabling of the p53(tumour supressing gene) gene
what are some of the leading causes of skin cancer
Environment, exposure to the sun, appears to be the leading cause of skin cancer. It’s the Reason skin cancers commonly develop on the face, neck and arms. Cancers of the skin are more common in the sunny areas of the world.
- Ex: Australia – Hugh Jackman (5th skin cancer removed in 2yrs) this has increased 2017
Skin cancer also tends to be genetic (hereditary) and occurs very frequently in certain ethnic groups, especially those with fair complexions, such as Northern Italians and Celts, especially the Irish.
what causes skin cancer
x-rays,
trauma
certain chemicals.
- For example, dentists frequently develop skin cancer on their hands from working with X-rays.
In the past hairdressers developed skin cancer from hair dyes.
name the 3 types of skin cancer
BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
MALIGNANT(moves) MELANOMA (most serious
explain BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
most common
least dangerous
seldom metastasizes (moves)
arises from the cells of the stratum basale (bottom layer of epidermis) and eventually invades the dermis
lesion appears as a small shiny bump that develops a central depression and a beaded pearly edge
usually occur on the face
treated by surgical removal and radiation therapy
how common and movable is basal cell carcinoma
the least malignant and the most common skin cancer.
explain SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
arises from the keratinocytes of the stratus spinosum
lesions usually appear on the scalp, ears, lower lip or back of the hand
have a raised, reddened, scaly appearance, later forming a concave ulcer with raised edges
chance of recovery is good with early detection and surgical removal
if neglected this cancer tends to metastasize to the lymph nodes and can be lethal.
explain growth and movement of squamous cell carcinoma
grow rapidly and metastasize if not removed
explain MALIGNANT MELANOMA
accounts for 5% of cases
the most deadly skin cancer
arises from melanocytes of a preexisting mole
metastasizes quickly and is fatal if not treated immediately
risk is greatest in people who experience severe sun burns
if a mole becomes malignant it forms a large, flat, spreading lesion with a scalloped edge.
The “ABCD” rule for recognising melanoma is A for asymmetry, B for border irregularity, C for colour (particulary black, blue or red) and D for diameter (greater than 6mm).
whats the ABCD rule for recognising melanoma
A for asymmetry,
B for border irregularity,
C for colour (particulary black, blue or red)
and D for diameter (greater than 6mm)
how dangerous and moving is malignant melanoma
most dangerous of the skin cancers because it is highly metastatic and resistant to chemotherapy.
explain treatment of skin cancers
Treatment for skin cancer usually involves some type of surgery. In some cases, doctors suggest radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Sometimes a combination of these methods is used.
Radiation and chemotherapy both come with hazards
name some treatments of skin cancer
surgery
laser therapy
grafting
clinical trials
explain surgery as a skin cancer treatment
Many skin cancers can be cut from the skin quickly and easily. In fact, the cancer is sometimes completely removed at the time of the biopsy, and no further treatment is needed.
explain laser therapy as a skin cancer treatment
Laser therapy uses a narrow beam of light to remove or destroy cancer cells. This approach is sometimes used for cancers that involve only the outer layer of skin.
explain grafting as a skin cancer treatment
Sometimes, especially when a large cancer is removed, a skin graft is needed to close the wound and reduce the amount of scarring. For this procedure, the doctor takes a piece of healthy skin from another part of the body (most likely from buttocks) to replace the skin that was removed.
explain clinical trials as a skin cancer treatment
In clinical trials (research studies with cancer patients), doctors are studying new treatments for skin cancer.
For example, they are exploring photodynamic therapy, a treatment that destroys cancer cells with a combination of laser light and drugs that make the cells sensitive to light.
Biological therapy (also called immunotherapy) is a form of treatment to improve the body’s natural ability to fight cancer. Interferon and tumour necrosis factor are types of biological therapy under study for skin cancer.
what are burns
A burn is tissue damage inflicted by intense heat, electricity, radiation, or certain chemicals, all of which denature cell proteins and cause cell death to infected areas.
how dangerous are burns
leading cause of accidental death.
burn deaths result primarily from the breaking of the first layer of the skin, as there’s fluid loss, infection and the toxic effects of ESCHAR, to the burned tissue .
