Malignant Melanoma

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Malignant Melanoma - can be a flat or an elevated lesion

When examining the lesion - irregular boarder - 1/4 cases of melanoma occurs in less than 40 years.
EARLY DETECTION MATTERS - saves lives.
the most important prognostic factor is Tumour thickness -
If the tumour is less than 1 mm than 95% survial rate , 4mm has 5% survival
Classed by tumour types -
A assymetric
B border irregularity
C Colour variation
D Diameter greater than 6mm
E Evolving rapidly - (changing shape)

If ABCDE this is a Malignant Melanoma till proven otherwise

A patient with a large number of moles is at an increased risk for Malignant Melanoma - if you see a unusual skin lesion consider Malignant Melanoma

Biopsy of suspicious skin lesions that have a specificity of 85%, and sensitivity of 95% - therefore very useful
Mx: It is a cancer - therefore remove it with a large boarder around it - with removal of the centinal lymph node.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4i5stGGLxA&feature=channel

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