Skin Cancer Pathology and Oncology Flashcards

What is the most common type of skin cancer in the United States?

Answer: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human malignancy, accounting for approximately 80% of all non-melanoma skin cancers and affecting millions of Americans annually.

Which histological subtype of basal cell carcinoma carries the highest risk of recurrence and invasion?

Answer: Morpheaform (sclerosing/infiltrative) BCC

Morpheaform BCC has indistinct clinical borders with finger-like projections extending well beyond the visible lesion, making it the most aggressive subtype with the highest recurrence rate.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in a chronic wound or scar is known as which eponymous carcinoma?

Answer: Marjolin ulcer

Marjolin ulcer is SCC arising from chronic wounds, burn scars, osteomyelitis sinuses, or other areas of chronic inflammation, typically with an aggressive course and higher metastatic risk.

What feature of melanoma on dermoscopy is most specific for malignancy?

Answer: Blue-white veil overlying raised areas

The blue-white veil — an irregular, structureless, ground-glass blue area with overlying white haze — is a dermoscopic feature highly specific for invasive melanoma.

PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab) are approved for which stage of melanoma?

Answer: Advanced/metastatic melanoma and high-risk resected stage III/IV adjuvant therapy

Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is approved for unresectable or metastatic melanoma and as adjuvant therapy for high-risk resected stage III and stage IV melanoma to reduce recurrence.

BRAF V600E mutation is found in approximately what percentage of cutaneous melanomas?

Answer: 50–60% of cutaneous melanomas

BRAF V600E mutations are present in approximately 50–60% of cutaneous melanomas, making BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination therapy (e.g., dabrafenib/trametinib) applicable to a large proportion of patients.