Skin tumors

Abstract

Skin tumors encompass both benign and malignant entities; some tumors will self-resolve, while others may require treatment. Currently there is no overwhelming recommendation for universal screening for skin cancer. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) [1] concludes that “the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of using a full body skin exam by a primary care clinician or patient self examination for the early detection of cutaneous melanoma, basal cell cancer, or squamous cell skin cancer in the adult general population.” Grade I. The USPSTF was unable to detect any harm of screening. Many physicians perform a skin exam during the regular physical examination, and others will ask patients if there has been a history of a mole change or other skin concerns and tailor their exam to the patient’s history. The patients most likely to benefit from screening are those that would be considered high risk. High-risk patients tend to be fair-skinned individuals over age 65, patients with atypical moles, and patients with more than 50 moles, personal history of excessive sun exposure, tanning bed use, or skin cancer in the family. Most screening is aimed at early detection of melanoma as early detection can alter the course of the disease.