Question

Skin Cancer Select two of the following four skin disorders and discuss the similarities and differences in etiology, treatment, and outcomes. Keratoses, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Your initial post is due Thursday at midnight and your response to my question in your thread, and to one classmate's initial post is due Sunday at midnight. Displaying 1 to 4 of 4 items Sho JAN 14

Answer 1

Skin cancer

A malignant growth on the skin, such as melanoma, is called a skin cancer.

Squamous cell Carcinoma or malignant melanoma; Similarities and differences:

Squamous cell Carcinoma and malignant melanoma are the two form of skin cancers. The former is the common form of skin cancer and the latter is the least common.

Squamous cell Carcinoma ( SCC) is a cancer that begins in the squamous cells ( found in the outer and middle layer of the skin ). It is also known as cutaneous squamous cell Carcinoma and it usually affect the areas of skin, damaged by sun light ( especially UV rays in the sunlight).

  

A dark pigmented malignant tumour, arising from a melanocyte and occurring most commonly in the skin is called a Melanoma.( Melanocyte: a cell in the skin that produces the pigment melanin, pigment that gives the skin colour and found in the lowest part of epidermis ).

SCC is a slow growing skin cancer whereas the Melanoma is the most aggressive form even though the it is the rarest among skin cancer.

* Etiology

Squamous cell Carcinoma: damage of skin layers by the continuous exposure to UV rays in the sunlight or from tanning bed.

Risk factors are older age, fair- skin, longterm chemical exposure ( arsenic exposure), radiation exposure, Males, HIV infection or AIDS and HPV ( human papilloma virus).

Melanoma: Etiology is same like SCC

- Exposure to UV rays in the sun light and tanning beds

- risk factors are family history of melanoma, persons with many moles, xeroderma pigmentosum ( genetic disorder), decreased immune function etc.

SCC may start appearing as a red bump that is firm. It may also appear as a crusting wart that may bleeds, or an open sore, or a scaly patch. Whereas Melanoma occurs commonly in skin and it begins as a mole ( it may itch, ulcerate or bleed).  It rarely occurs in eye, intestines and mouth.

* Treatment

SCC : Minor surgeries that may include excision ( cutting of the spot and surrounding skin), Dermabrasion ( affected area will undego a ' sanding' procedure), lymph node surgery, cryosurgery ( spot freezing). Topical radiation or topical chemotherapy ( applying of gel or cream) also used to treat the SCC

Melanoma can be treated by surgery such as excisions of affected part, lymphadenectomy ( if it spread to lymph node). Targeted therapy by using the drug combination such ad encorafenib and binimetinib . Chemotherapy and immuno therapy also used for treating the melanoma.

* Outcome

SCC: 95% of SCC can be cured. If it is not treated, it may spread to bones, tissues, and to lymph nodes. Then it becomes hard to treat.

Melanoma: Prognosis and outcome is mainly based on the thickness of melanoma and location of lesion and metastasis. Deep melanoma and presence of metastasis have poor prognosis. Survival rate for five years is less than 10%. Early diagnosis and treatment are the key for good prognosis.