Evolution of cutaneous epithelial neoplasms

Cutaneous neoplasms, as with all forms of neoplasia, are believed to arise as a result of proliferation of transformed cells. These cells, in time, may then produce clinically recognizable disease, and it is because of this potential advancement of a transformed cell population that diagnosis at an early stage of disease often demonstrate prognostic significance. In this review, the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological features of various forms of cutaneous neoplasia are examined, with particular emphasis on early clinical and pathological diagnosis. Included are discussions of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, categories of squamous cell carcinoma in situ, environmental and inflammatory dermatosis-related malignancies, and mammary and extramammary Paget's disease.