Deck 34: Epidemiology of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Question 1

Non-melanoma skin cancers make up about 95% of all skin cancers.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Basal cell carcinoma of the skin is the most common form of human cancer.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Basal cell carcinoma of the skin rarely metastasizes to distant anatomic sites.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is the second most common form of human cancer.

Question 5

Squamous cell carcinomas of the skin nearly always develop due to malignant transformation of sun-induced precancerous skin lesions known as actinic keratoses.

Question 6

Squamous cell carcinomas of the skin have little potential to metastasize to other organs.

Question 7

Merkel cell carcinomas develop from neurosensory cells called Merkel cells that connect with nerve endings to transmit electrical impulses in response to touch.

Question 8

Arsenic tends to accumulate in the skin and chronic exposure has consistently been found to increase the risk of developing basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin

Question 9

Depletion of the ozone layer around the South Pole is related to the high rates of skin cancer in populations living in the southern hemisphere.

Question 10

Exposure to ultraviolet light in tanning salons is not a risk factor for development of skin cancer because UVB rays are filtered out.

Question 11

The highest rates of skin cancer are found in populations living near the equator.

Question 12

Patients who receive psoralen and ultraviolet A radiation (PUVA) for the treatment of skin disorders are at increased risk for the development of skin cancer.

Question 13

What is the primary precursor lesion for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin?

A) Leukoplakia
B) Heteroplakia
C) Actinic keratosis
D) Dysplasia

Question 14

High rates of skin cancer are observed in populations of all of the following nations except:

A) Australia.
B) New Zealand.
C) South Africa.
D) Republic of the Congo (in equatorial Africa).

Question 15

The risk of skin cancer increases with excess exposure to:

A) ultraviolet A rays.
B) ultraviolet B rays.
C) ultraviolet C rays.
D) a and b are both correct.
E) a, b and c are all correct.

Question 16

What is the approximate increase in the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the skin among women who begin sustained use of tanning salons at a young age?

A) 50%
B) 75%
C) 100%
D) 200%

Question 17

Why has the annual number of cases of basal cell carcinoma more than doubled in the US population since 1986?

A) Increased exposure to solar radiation
B) Increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation in tanning salons
C) Increased cigarette smoking
D) a and b are correct.
E) a, b and c are correct.

Question 18

Predisposing risk factors for the development of skin cancer in the Australian population include which of the following?

A) High ambient levels of ultraviolet radiation due to the South Polar Ozone hole
B) Population is fair skinned
C) Emphasis on outdoor activities resulting in high exposure to solar radiation throughout life
D) High prevalence of xeroderma pigmentosum
E) a, b, c only are correct.

Question 19

Which of the following have been found to significantly increase the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma of the skin?

A) Inability to tan
B) Cumulative number of blistering sunburns
C) Living in a region with high solar radiation
D) Red hair
E) a, b, c only are correct.
F) a, b, c, d are all correct.

Question 20

Briefly characterize the global epidemiology of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Question 21

Describe differences in the pathogenesis of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.

Question 22

Discuss the characteristics of xeroderma pigmentosum.

Question 23

Discuss the role of infectious agents in the development of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Question 24

Discuss how the Langerhans cells might influence the development of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Question 25

Discuss strategies for the primary prevention of non-melanoma skin cancer.