Questão 2605707

Leia o texto para responder às questões de números 11 a 15.

What to know about carcinoma

A carcinoma is a cancerous tumor of the epithelial tissue, which is the tissue underneath the skin. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the two most common types of skin cancer.

To diagnose any form of skin cancer, a doctor will carry out a physical examination. They will examine the skin lesion and record its size, shape, texture, and other physical attributes. They may also take a photo of the lesion for specialist review or to record its current size and appearance for future comparisons. The doctor will often check the rest of the body for additional skin symptoms. They will also take a medical history focusing on the lesion and any related conditions, such as sunburn.

A doctor will urgently refer suspected cases of SCC for specialist investigation and treatment due to their tendency to spread. Suspected BCC tumors do not require such urgent referral, as they are less likely to spread.

If the doctor thinks that a lesion may be cancerous, they are also likely to perform a biopsy. There are four different types of skin biopsy, all of which involve the removal of skin tissue for laboratory assessment. The different types are:

• Shave biopsy: Using a sharp surgical blade, the doctor shaves the top layers of skin cells, usually as far as the dermis but sometimes deeper. This type of biopsy often results in bleeding, but it is possible to stop this by cauterizing the wound, meaning sealing it using heat.

• Punch biopsy: The doctor uses a sharp, hollow surgical tool that resembles a tiny cookie cutter to remove a circle of skin from below the dermis. A person may need a single stitch to close the resulting wound.

• Incisional biopsy: The doctor removes part of the growth with a scalpel, cutting away a full-thickness wedge or slice of skin. This type of biopsy often needs more than one stitch afterward.

• Excisional biopsy: The doctor removes the whole growth and some surrounding tissue with a scalpel. The resulting wound usually requires stitches.

After taking the tissue sample, the doctor will send it to a pathology laboratory for examination under a microscope. The pathology team will assess the cells to look for cancerous traits. If cancer is present, the pathologists will determine its type.

Medically reviewed by Amanda Caldwell, MSN, APRN-C, written by Markus MacGill Updated on May 16, 2022.

(www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/300871. Adaptado)

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