Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and precancerous lesions with their risk factors and distinguishing features tested on USMLE Step 1.
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- What is the most common type of skin cancer?
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Basal cell carcinoma
- What is the classic appearance of a basal cell carcinoma?
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A pearly, translucent papule with telangiectasias and a rolled border
- What is the primary risk factor for basal cell carcinoma?
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Chronic ultraviolet (sun) exposure
- Does basal cell carcinoma commonly metastasize?
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No, it rarely metastasizes but can be locally invasive and destructive
- What is the second most common type of skin cancer?
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Squamous cell carcinoma
- What is the classic appearance of a squamous cell carcinoma?
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A scaly, erythematous plaque or nodule that may ulcerate
- What precancerous lesion, caused by chronic sun damage, can progress to squamous cell carcinoma?
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Actinic keratosis
- What is the classic appearance of actinic keratosis?
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A rough, scaly, erythematous patch on sun-exposed skin
- What virus is associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, particularly anogenital and periungual lesions?
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Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Compared to basal cell carcinoma, how does squamous cell carcinoma's metastatic potential differ?
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Squamous cell carcinoma has a higher, though still relatively low, potential to metastasize
- What is the most deadly type of skin cancer?
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Malignant melanoma
- What pigmented cell type gives rise to melanoma?
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Melanocytes
- What mnemonic is used to evaluate a pigmented lesion for melanoma risk?
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ABCDE: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter greater than 6mm, Evolving
- What is the single most important prognostic factor for cutaneous melanoma?
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Tumor (Breslow) depth of invasion
- What subtype of melanoma is the most common and tends to spread outward along the skin surface before invading deeply?
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Superficial spreading melanoma