Malignant Melanoma
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