Skin cancers
Malignant melanoma of the skin
- refer people using a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for melanoma if they have a suspicious pigmented skin lesion with a weighted 7-point checklist score of 3 or more.
Weighted 7-point checklist Major features of the lesions (scoring 2 points each): - change in size
- irregular shape
- irregular colour
Minor features of the lesions (scoring 1 point each): - largest diameter 7 mm or more
- inflammation
- oozing
- change in sensation.
|
Refer people using a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) if dermoscopy suggests melanoma of the skin
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for melanoma in people with a pigmented or non-pigmented skin lesion that suggests nodular melanoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
- consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for people with a skin lesion that raises the suspicion of squamous cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma
- consider routine referral for people if they have a skin lesion that raises the suspicion of a basal cell carcinoma
- NICE have now suggested that a possible basal cell carcinoma may warrant a two week referral but
- "..only consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for people with a skin lesion that raises the suspicion of a basal cell carcinoma if there is particular concern that a delay may have a significant impact, because of factors such as lesion site or size. .."
Notes:
- in a previous version of the guidance there was a description of what was a suspected squamous cell carcinoma (2):
- with non-healing keratinizing or crusted tumours larger than 1 cm with significant induration on palpation. They are commonly found on the face, scalp or back of the hand with a documented expansion over 8 weeks
- who have had an organ transplant and develop new or growing cutaneous lesions as squamous cell carcinoma is common with immunosuppression but may be atypical and aggressive
- with histological diagnosis of a squamous cell carcinoma
Reference: