Neoplastic Skin Diseases

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common chronic papulosquamous dermatosis with distinct infantile and adult forms, easily recognised clinically. Owing to its frequent recurrence in patients with HIV and AIDS, a careful evaluation of this pathology is warranted. The disease varies from mild to severe exhibiting a variety of forms including psoriasiform, pityriasiform and erythroderma.

A nevus is a condition which occurs due to the increase in the number of melanocytes. The occurrence of the melanocytes can be both congenital, as well as acquired, and the melanin pigmentation can also be hypo- or hyper-pigmentation. The atypical differs from the benign nevus by the irregular shape, as well as an increase in size and number. The biopsy is required for diagnosis in doubtful cases and in which the confirmation is required. The treatment varies from observation (in the majority of cases) to medical (chemical peels using beta-hydroxy and retinoic acid) and, lastly, surgical treatment for the nevus.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma represents one of the most common malignancies in humans. The malignant tumour arises from suprabasal epidermal keratinocytes that invade the dermis and together with basal cell carcinoma, forms the most common malignancies of skin to affect humans. But unlike basal cell carcinoma that is thought to arise de novo, this non-melanoma skin cancer is thought to evolve from precursor lesions of actinic keratosis (AK) and Bowen’s disease. The clinical appearance is highly variable but a strong suspicion must be kept in mind if a non-healing lesion presents, specially on sun exposed areas. Histopathological evidence helps in establishing the diagnosis. While a multitude of treatment options are available, prevention in patients with predispositions should attract more attention.

Neoplasms of the skin can be hard to differentiate clinically, but nevertheless they can result in entirely different consequences. While the colloquially called “white skin cancer” describes rather harmless changes of the skin, the “black skin” cancer is feared. As other doctors from different specialties, other than dermatologist, are also consulted when discussing diagnostic findings of their patients’ skins, it pays off to know the most common types of skin cancer.