Skin Cancers

Question 1

What is Seborrheic Keratosis?

Answer 1

Benign; proliferation of basal cells

• Brown-waxy raised lesions typically of the trunk
• Usually left untreated

Question 2

What is Actinic Keratosis?

Answer 2

Benign; but can lead to squamous cell carcinoma

• Flat, round or irregular shaped lesions covered by dry scales secondary to sun exposure

Question 3

What are Nevi?

Answer 3

Moles; Benign

• Proliferation of Melanocytes
• Defined borders
• Uniform Color
• < 6 mm
• Flat or raised

Can change to melanoma.

Question 4

What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Answer 4

Malignant tumor; slow growing basal cell tumor.

• Raised patch with ivory appearance, or reddened area
• Associated with prolonged sun exposure
• Rarely metastasizes

Question 5

What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Answer 5

Malignant tumor; poorly defined margins

• flat red area
• grows more quickly
• Common from sun exposure; face, neck, back of hands
• Higher risk to metastasize

Question 6

What is is Malignant Melanoma?

Answer 6

Tumor arising from melanocytes

Question 7

What is Kaposi’s Sarcoma?

Answer 7

Malignant; Lesions of endothelial cells, secondary to herpes virus 8

• Red, dark purple/blue macules.

Question 8

What are the ABCDEs for clinical examination of Malignant Melanoma?

Answer 8

Asymmetry; uneven edges
Borders; irregular, poorly defined edges
Colors; variable: blended black/blue/red
Diameter; > 6 mm
Elevation/Evolving; usually elevated, moles change over time