Skin Cancer

Question 1

what are the two main groups of skin cancers?

Answer 1

melanoma

non melanoma

Question 2

what are the two main non melanoma skin cancers?

Answer 2

basal cell carcinoma

squamous cell carcinoma

Question 3

from which skin cells do non melanoma skin cancers arise?

Answer 3

keratinocytes

Question 4

true or false: melanoma arises from keratinocytes

Answer 4

false

from melanocytes

Question 5

true or false: squamous cell carcinoma is more common than basal cell carcinoma

Answer 5

false

Question 6

true or false: melanoma is the most common cancer in 15-24 year olds

Answer 6

true

Question 7

which sex is melanoma more common in?

Answer 7

female

Question 8

what determines the prognosis in melanoma?

Answer 8

depth of the melanoma

breslow thickness

Question 9

what is the % survival for melanoma less than 1mm in 5 years?

Answer 9

95-100%

Question 10

true or false: thinner melanomas have a better prognosis than thicker ones

Answer 10

true

Question 11

what is the ABCDE approach to diagnosing melanoma?

Answer 11

asymmetry 
borders 
colour 
diameter 
evolution

Question 12

true or false: if a mole is fast growing and very dark black it is not worrying

Answer 12

false

Question 13

true or false: basal cell carcinomas are fast growing

Answer 13

false

Question 14

are basal cell carcinomas usually painful?

Answer 14

no

Question 15

describe the appearance of basal cell carcinoma

Answer 15

pearly lump
telangiectasia
central ulceration

Question 16

what is the most common cause of squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 16

UV exposure

Question 17

true or false: squamous cell carcinoma is fast growing

Answer 17

true

Question 18

true or false: both basal and squamous cell carcinomas are likely to metastasise?

Answer 18

false

basal cell carcinoma wont

Question 19

describe the appearance of squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 19

hyperkeratotic lump
may be painful
may bleed

Question 20

name two precursor lesions that can become squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 20

bowen’s disease

actinic keratosis

Question 21

how do actinic keratoses arise?

Answer 21

sun damage

Question 22

describe bowen’s disease

Answer 22

erythematous plaques

Question 23

list risk factors for skin cancer

Answer 23

sun exposure
genetics
environmental carcinogens

Question 24

describe skin type I

Answer 24

always burns

never tans

Question 25

describe skin type II

Answer 25

usually burns | sometimes tans

Question 26

describe skin type III

Answer 26

usually tans | can burn

Question 27

describe skin type IV

Answer 27

always tans | never burns

Question 28

describe skin type V

Answer 28

brown skin

Question 29

describe skin type VI

Answer 29

black skin

Question 30

list three genetic diseases that increase the risk of skin cancer

Answer 30

xeroderma pigmentosum albinism gorlin's syndrome

Question 31

what is another name for gorlin's syndrome?

Answer 31

naevoid basal cell carcinoma

Question 32

what is xeroderma pigmentosum?

Answer 32

photosensitivity disease caused by a defect in NER genes causes skin cancer

Question 33

what is gorlin's disease?

Answer 33

autosomal dominant disease featuring multiple basal cell carcinomas

Question 34

which UV radiation is most harmful?

Answer 34

UVC

Question 35

what blocks out UVC radiation so that we are never exposed?

Answer 35

the ozone layer

Question 36

what protects us from UVB radiation?

Answer 36

window glass | suncream

Question 37

what is the effect of UV radiation on DNA?

Answer 37

damages DNA, causing mutations

Question 38

what is the signature DNA mutation caused by UV?

Answer 38

pyrimidine dimer mutation

Question 39

skin type I individuals have which type of melanin instead of eumelanin which doesn't absorb UVR effectively?

Answer 39

pheomelanin

Question 40

what does 1 mutation in the MC1R gene cause?

Answer 40

freckles

Question 41

what do 2 mutations in the MC1r gene cause?

Answer 41

freckles | red hair

Question 42

what is the scientific name for freckles?

Answer 42

ephelides

Question 43

what are freckles?

Answer 43

patchy increases in melanin pigment

Question 44

what are actinic lentigines?

Answer 44

age spots caused by UV exposure

Question 45

what is a naevus?

Answer 45

birthmark or mole on the skin

Question 46

true or false: naevi can develop into melanoma

Answer 46

true

Question 47

how do acquired naevi develop?

Answer 47

at birth, the melanocyte to keratinocyte ratio breaks down, allowing formation of benign naevi

Question 48

where are melanocytes located in a junctional naevus?

Answer 48

at the DEJ

Question 49

where are melanocytes located in a compound naevus?

Answer 49

in the DEJ and dermis

Question 50

where are melanocytes located in an intradermal naevus?

Answer 50

the dermis

Question 51

what size are dysplastic naevi?

Answer 51

generally over 6mm

Question 52

list the four main types of melanoma

Answer 52

superficial spreading acral lentiginous lentigo maligna nodular

Question 53

what is the most common type of melanoma?

Answer 53

superficial spreading