Skin Cancer
Acronym for evaluating a mole for melanoma (say the words)
What is Asymmetry, Borders are irregular, Color is not uniform, Diameter > 6mm, Evolution?
Most common organism for pediatric skin infection classically presenting as honey-colored crusted lesions around the mouth and nose.
Bonus: name of above described skin infection
What is staph aureus?
Bonus: Impetigo
Canthosis (epidermal hyperplasia), parakeratosis (hyperkeratosis with retention of keratinocyte nuclei in the stratum corneum), neutrophils in the stratum corneum (Munro microabscesses), and thinning of the epidermis above dermal papillae resulting in BLEEDING WHEN SCALE IS PICKED OFF (Auspitz sign).
What is the histology of psoriasis?
A 3‑year‑old with small, painless, itchy, pearly papules that are dome‑shaped with central umbilication, caused by an MCV poxvirus.
What is the molluscum contagiosum virus?
Flaccid, fragile bullae that rupture easily, painful oral mucosal involvement, and a positive Nikolsky sign.
Histology shows an intraepidermal split due to loss of desmosomes between keratinocytes, and immunofluorescence reveals the classic “chicken‑wire” pattern of IgG deposition.
What is pemphigus vulgaris?
A slow‑growing, pearly, flesh‑colored papule or nodule with telangiectasias, especially on the upper lip.
What is basal cell carcinoma?
This common bacterial infection of the deeper dermis and subcutaneous tissues presents as a warm, tender, erythematous area with ill‑defined borders.
What is cellulitis?
Benign epidermal tumor classically contains horn cysts and proliferations of monomorphic keratinocytes.
Bonus: the commonly used descriptor of the appearance of this lesion
What is seborrheic keratosis?
Bonus answer: what is stuck on?
Treatment for facial atopic dermatitis in between steroid treatments
What is topical calcineurin inhibitor therapy?
The skin cancer that took Bob Marley's life.
What is acral melanoma?
These atypical moles are often >6 mm, have irregular borders, and show variegated pigmentation. While benign, having many of them is a high‑risk marker for melanoma.
What are dysplastic nevi
Skin infection involving the upper dermis presents with a raised, sharply demarcated erythematous lesion, commonly by group A Streptococcus.
What is erysipelas?
The most important identifier for evaluating risk of metastasis in melanoma.
What is breslow depth?
A well‑demarcated, pruritic, erythematous, sometimes vesicular eruption confined to areas of allergen or irritant exposure such as nickel, fragrances, or harsh detergents
What is contact dermatitis?
This autoimmune blistering disorder features tense, firm bullae, rare oral involvement, and a negative Nikolsky sign.
The split is subepidermal, caused by autoantibodies targeting hemidesmosomes at the basement membrane.
What is bullous pemphigoid?
A premalignant precursor to squamous cell carcinoma, especially in chronically sun‑damaged skin
What is actinic keratosis?
An 8‑year‑old with a pruritic, scaly, circular bald patch and broken hairs of equal length has classic tinea capitis.
Diagnosis is confirmed with a KOH prep showing dermatophyte hyphae, most commonly from Trichophyton species
What is tinea capitis?
Nests of melanocytes at the dermal-epidermal junction
What is benign (acquired) nevus?
The name of this physical exam finding: 25 y.o F presents with erythematous, raised papules/plaques and overlaying silvery scales on the extensor surfaces. On physical exam, she is also noted to have pitting nails. When the scales are scraped off, punctate bleeding spots appear.
What is Auspitz sign?
A deficiency in this vitamin leads to the development of photosensitive pellagra‑like dermatitis, ataxia, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
What is niacin/ B3 deficiency?
A chronic stage‑3 pressure ulcer present for >10 years raises concern for malignant degeneration.
Biopsy of ulcer: invasive nests and cords of atypical squamous cells, keratinization, keratin pearls, abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, intercellular bridges, and pleomorphic hyperchromatic nuclei with variable mitotic activity
What is a Marjolin ulcer with transformation to invasive squamous cell carcinoma?
The classic culprit behind plantar warts, which present as hyperkeratotic papules on the soles that may show black thrombosed capillaries on paring.
What is HPV?
The epidermal layer contains melanocytes and regenerative stem cells responsible for producing new keratinocytes
What is stratum basale?
Treatment for the following case: A 6 y.o F develops intense pruritus that is worse at night. On physical exam, multiple small erythematous papules and excoriations are appreciated on the wrists, finger web spaces, and around the umbilicus. Several family members have similar symptoms.
What is permethrin?
A 58 y.o M with long-standing patch and plaque lesions from mycosis fungoides now presents with generalized erythroderma, lymphadenopathy, and circulating atypical T cells with cerebriform nuclei in the peripheral blood. What is the most likely diagnosis?
What is Sezary syndrome of T Cell Lymphoma?