Skin Cancer Types and Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of sweat glands in regulating body temperature?

To store blood volume

To increase secretions to cool the body (correct)

To increase body temperature

To synthesize vitamin D

What percentage of the body's blood volume is stored in skin blood vessels?

10%

20%

5% (correct)

What is the least malignant and most common type of skin cancer?

Basal cell carcinoma (correct)

Squamous cell carcinoma

Cutaneous carcinoma

Melanoma

What is the primary function of the integumentary system in terms of protection?

To provide a chemical, physical, and mechanical barrier Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of dermal blood vessels in regulating body temperature?

To dilate and constrict to cool and warm the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the integumentary system in terms of excretion?

To eliminate limited amounts of nitrogenous wastes in sweat Signup and view all the answers

What is the outermost superficial region of the skin?

Epidermis Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cells in the epidermis function as touch receptors in association with sensory nerve endings?

Merkel cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of Langerhans' cells in the epidermis?

Help activate the immune system Signup and view all the answers

What is the middle region of the skin?

Dermis Signup and view all the answers

What is the deepest region of the skin?

Hypodermis Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium is composed of four distinct cell types in the epidermis?

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Which type of skin cancer arises from keratinocytes of stratum spinosum?

Squamous cell carcinoma Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is part of the ABCD rule used to identify melanomas?

Border Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom commonly associated with second-degree burns?

Blisters Signup and view all the answers

Which type of treatment is effective for melanoma and is often accompanied by immunotherapy?

Surgical excision Signup and view all the answers

What type of skin cancer is the most dangerous and arises from melanocytes?

Melanoma Signup and view all the answers

Which type of burn involves only damage to the epidermis?

First-degree burn Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Skin Structure

The skin consists of three major regions: epidermis (outermost superficial region), dermis (middle region), and hypodermis (deepest region)
The epidermis is composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, consisting of four distinct cell types and four or five layers

Cells of the Epidermis

Keratinocytes: produce the fibrous protein keratin
Melanocytes: produce the brown pigment melanin
Langerhans’ cells: epidermal macrophages that help activate the immune system
Merkel cells: function as touch receptors in association with sensory nerve endings

Functions of the Integumentary System

Protection: chemical, physical, and mechanical barrier
Body temperature regulation: dilation (cooling) and constriction (warming) of dermal vessels
Cutaneous sensation: exoreceptors sense touch and pain
Metabolic functions: synthesis of vitamin D in dermal blood vessels
Blood reservoir: skin blood vessels store up to 5% of the body’s blood volume
Excretion: limited amounts of nitrogenous wastes are eliminated from the body in sweat

Skin Cancer

Types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma
Basal cell carcinoma: least malignant and most common skin cancer, slow growing, and does not often metastasize
Squamous cell carcinoma: arises from keratinocytes, grows rapidly, and metastasizes if not removed
Melanoma: cancer of melanocytes, most dangerous type of skin cancer, treated by wide surgical excision accompanied by immunotherapy

Burns

Classification of burns:
- First-degree: only the epidermis is damaged
- Second-degree: the epidermis and upper regions of dermis are damaged
- Third-degree: involve entire thickness of the skin

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Description

Learn about the types and characteristics of skin cancer, including Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. Understand where these cancers arise, their growth patterns, and prognosis with different treatments.