Skin Cancer

Question 1

Is skin cancer curable?

Answer 1

Yes, it has a 95% cure rate if detected and treated early

Question 2

What are the differences to look for when trying to distinguish which type of skin cancer you are looking for?

Answer 2

origin, how tumour advances and treatment

Question 3

what are the 3 common types of cancer?

Answer 3

1. basal cell carcinoma
2. squamous cell carcinoma
3. malignant melanoma

Question 4

Which skin cancer has the highest prevalence and is the least aggressive?

Answer 4

basal cell carcinoma

Question 5

Which skin cancer is the most aggressive?

Answer 5

malignant melanoma

Question 6

Actinic keratosis?

Answer 6

Precancerous lesion; warning sign for cancer, without intervention this will advance into a malignant form

Question 7

Etiology of skin cancer?

Answer 7

• excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (eg.sun, tanning beds)
• cumulative damage to the skin (over several year)
• age is proportional to prevalence of skin cancers
• melanin is inversely proportional to prevalence of skin cancer
• timing of exposure (worst around noon)

Question 8

How can you avoid skin cancer?

Answer 8

avoided by limiting sun exposure and using protection when exposed to the sun (eg. sunscreen, shades, hat)

Question 9

Basal cell carcinoma?

Answer 9

• common in light-skinned people
• origin - basal cell
• best prognosis (least aggressive, progresses slowly)
• local invasion WILL NOT METASTASIZE
• lesions on skin exposed areas

Question 10

Squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 10

• Origin: kertinocytes
• lesions on sun exposed areas commonly the nose, forehead, lower lip
• more invasive
• intra-epidermal and invasive types
• non-uniform
• faster progression than basal cell carcinoma
• if left in place it will metastasize

Question 11

Malignant melanoma?

Answer 11

• Accounts for 2% of deaths from cancer
• most aggressive form, it will cause death if left untreated
• arises in melanocytes
• increased risk in people with fair skin
• most progressive, metastases relatively early
• lesions on sun exposed and unexposed surfaces

Question 12

Lesions of this cancer occur in sun exposed areas and unexposed surfaces.

Answer 12

malignant melanoma

Question 13

lesions of this cancer are common on the face, neck, scalp, hands

Answer 13

basal cell carcinoma

Question 14

Which cancer begins as a nodular lesion?

Answer 14

basal cell carcinoma

Question 15

Telangiectasia?

Answer 15

tiny dilated visible blood vessels (spider veins)

Question 16

this cancer is common on the nose, forehead, lower lip

Answer 16

squamous cell carcinoma

Question 17

this cancer can be nodular, ulcerative, or resembles papules.

Answer 17

squamous cell carcinoma

Question 18

What do major lesion changes include?

Answer 18

• doubling in size over 3-8 months (tumours take 100 days to double in size)
• colour (eg. brown -> black)
• irregular border
• pruritus
• bleeding
• crusting
• ulceration

Question 19

Pt teaching for skin cancer?

Answer 19

Asymmetrical; Border; Colour; Diameter; Elevation

Question 20

Treatment of skin cancer?

Answer 20

early detection is key; surgical excision; if met have. occurred then chemo is used as adjunct to surgery