Skin Cancer Screening & Education Flashcards

Which dermoscopic feature is most associated with melanoma compared to a benign melanocytic nevus?

Answer: Atypical pigment network with irregular meshwork

An atypical pigment network with irregular, broadened, or broken meshwork is a key dermoscopic indicator of melanoma.

A patient presents with a pearly, translucent papule with rolled borders and surface telangiectasias on the nose. The most likely diagnosis is:

Answer: Nodular basal cell carcinoma

Nodular basal cell carcinoma classically appears as a pearly papule with rolled borders, surface telangiectasias, and central ulceration on sun-exposed areas.

The Fitzpatrick skin phototype scale is used in skin cancer screening primarily to:

Answer: Assess UV sensitivity and skin cancer risk

The Fitzpatrick scale classifies skin types I–VI based on UV sensitivity and tanning ability, helping estimate skin cancer risk.

Lentigo maligna most commonly occurs in which anatomical location?

Answer: Sun-damaged facial skin in elderly patients

Lentigo maligna is an in situ melanoma that predominantly develops on the chronically sun-damaged facial skin of older adults.

When educating a patient about self-skin exams, you should instruct them to examine themselves:

Answer: Monthly using a full-length mirror and hand mirror

Monthly self-skin exams using a full-length and hand mirror allow for systematic head-to-toe surveillance of all skin surfaces.

Merkel cell carcinoma is caused by which infectious agent in the majority of cases?

Answer: Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV)

Merkel cell polyomavirus is integrated into the tumor genome in approximately 80% of Merkel cell carcinoma cases.

A CDT performing a full-body skin exam should document lesion location using standardized body diagrams to:

Answer: Enable objective tracking of lesion changes over serial visits

Standardized body diagrams allow consistent documentation so changes in lesion size, shape, or number can be objectively compared over time.