Skin Flashcards
(64 cards)
What is the most common form of cancer in Australia?
Skin cancer
Skin cancer accounts for about 31% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia during 2017–2018.
What percentage of Australians are estimated to be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70?
2 in 3 Australians
What types of skin cancers are not required to be reported to cancer registries?
Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs)
What is the estimated mortality rate of non-melanoma skin cancers in Australia?
2 deaths per 100,000 people
What is the primary cause of the high incidence of skin cancer in Australia?
High ambient solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Which demographic is most susceptible to developing skin cancer?
Fair-skinned people
What is the incidence of melanoma in Indigenous Australians compared to non-Indigenous Australians?
9.3 per 100,000 in Indigenous Australians vs. 33 per 100,000 in non-Indigenous Australians
What are the two types of UV radiation mentioned, and their wavelength ranges?
UVB (280–320 nm) and UVA (320–400 nm)
What is sunburn primarily caused by?
Exposure to UV radiation, especially UVB
List some chronic effects of sun exposure.
- Wrinkling
- Blotchiness
- Telangiectasia
- Malignant changes (e.g. basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma)
What strategies have been devised to improve sun protection?
- Avoiding exposure in the middle of the day
- Staying in the shade
- Wearing protective clothing and hats
- Using sunscreen (SPF > 30+)
- Avoiding sunbeds and solariums
What is basal cell carcinoma (BCC)?
A malignant tumour of the skin arising from cells in the basal layer of the epidermis
What percentage of non-melanoma skin cancers does basal cell carcinoma account for?
At least two-thirds
What is the predominant cause of basal cell carcinoma?
Repeated exposure to solar UV radiation, especially UVB
What are the three common growth patterns of basal cell carcinoma?
- Superficial
- Nodular
- Morphoeic
What is the most common treatment for basal cell carcinoma?
Surgical excision
What percentage of patients still appear cured 5 years after complete excision of basal cell carcinoma?
90%
What is Mohs surgery?
A procedure where all margins of the excised tumour are examined to ensure a high cure rate
What is the role of Imiquimod 5% cream in treatment?
It stimulates an immune response to treat superficial basal cell carcinoma
What is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)?
A cancer arising from keratinocytes in the outer layers of the epidermis
What is the main cause of squamous cell carcinoma?
Cumulative sun exposure
What are some risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma?
- Age > 50 years
- Being male
- Fair skin
- Blue or green eyes
- Exposure to chemical pollution
- Immune suppression
- Smoking
What is solar keratosis?
A precursor lesion associated with chronic exposure to UV radiation
How does squamous cell carcinoma in situ differ from invasive squamous cell carcinoma?
In situ lesions are confined to the epidermis, while invasive lesions may penetrate deeper and metastasize