Skin CA

Question 1

~95% cure rate if…

Answer 1

early detection & Tx

Question 2

skin CA

Answer 2

lesion on surface of skin in areas usually exposed to sun

Question 3

actinic keratosis

Answer 3

easily detectable pre-CA lesion (warning sign for skin CA, w/o intervention –> advance into malignant form)

• “actinic” = radiation from sun
• “keratosis” = erythematous lesion

Question 4

3 common types

Answer 4

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

Question 5

etiology

Answer 5

• excessive exposure to UV lights
• cumulative damage to skin (mutates DNA)
• age proportional to prevalence of skin CA (age inc = skin CA risk inc)
• melanin inversely proportional to prevalence of skin CA (melanin inc = skin CA risk low)
• timing of exposure (ex. worst around noon)

Question 6

Tx

Answer 6

• early detection is key
• surgical excision (remove lesions & surrounding tissue)
• if mets occurred –> chemo adjunct to Sx