A farmer who spends significant time in the sun is at risk for skin cancer. Which type is he most at risk for developing?

A farmer who spends significant time in the sun is at risk for skin cancer. Which type is he most at risk for developing?

• A. Adenocarcinoma
• B. Basal cell carcinoma
• C. Malignant melanoma
• D. Spongioblastoma

Answer: (B)

Exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancers, and among skin cancers the most common type linked to chronic UV exposure is basal cell carcinoma. It originates in the basal cells of the epidermis and tends to grow slowly, often presenting as a pearly or skin-colored nodule with tiny visible blood vessels (telangiectasias) in sun-exposed areas. It rarely spreads to distant sites, but if not treated, it can invade nearby tissues. The other options don’t fit this scenario as neatly. Adenocarcinoma is a glandular cancer that occurs in organs like the lung or colon, not the skin. Malignant melanoma is also linked to sun exposure and is important to recognize because it can be more dangerous, but it is less common than basal cell carcinoma. Spongioblastoma refers to a brain tumor (astrocytoma/glioblastoma) and has no connection to sun exposure or skin cancer.

Exposure to the sun increases the risk of skin cancers, and among skin cancers the most common type linked to chronic UV exposure is basal cell carcinoma. It originates in the basal cells of the epidermis and tends to grow slowly, often presenting as a pearly or skin-colored nodule with tiny visible blood vessels (telangiectasias) in sun-exposed areas. It rarely spreads to distant sites, but if not treated, it can invade nearby tissues.

The other options don’t fit this scenario as neatly. Adenocarcinoma is a glandular cancer that occurs in organs like the lung or colon, not the skin. Malignant melanoma is also linked to sun exposure and is important to recognize because it can be more dangerous, but it is less common than basal cell carcinoma. Spongioblastoma refers to a brain tumor (astrocytoma/glioblastoma) and has no connection to sun exposure or skin cancer.