Malignant Melanoma

Question 1

What are the four main subtypes of melanoma?

Answer 1

Superficial spreading, Nodular, Lentigo maligna, Acral lentiginous

Question 2

Which subtype of melanoma is the most aggressive?

Answer 2

Nodular melanoma

Question 3

What is the frequency of superficial spreading melanoma?

Answer 3

70% of cases

Question 4

What age group typically gets nodular melanoma?

Answer 4

Middle-aged people

Question 5

What skin areas are typically affected by acral lentiginous melanoma?

Answer 5

Nails, palms or soles, People with darker skin pigmentation

Question 6

What are the major diagnostic features of melanoma?

Answer 6

Change in size, Change in shape, Change in colour

Question 7

What are the secondary features of melanoma?

Answer 7

Diameter >= 7mm, Inflammation, Oozing or bleeding, Altered sensation

Question 8

What should be done with suspicious lesions?

Answer 8

They should undergo excision biopsy.

Question 9

What is the recommended margin of excision for lesions 0-1mm thick?

Answer 9

1cm

Question 10

What further treatments may be applied for melanoma?

Answer 10

Sentinel lymph node mapping, isolated limb perfusion, and block dissection of regional lymph node groups.

Question 11

What is the most important prognostic factor for malignant melanoma?

Answer 11

The invasion depth of a tumour (Breslow depth) is the single most important factor in determining prognosis of patients with malignant melanoma.

Question 12

What is the approximate 5-year survival rate for Breslow thickness < 0.75 mm?

Answer 12

95-100%

Question 13

What is the approximate 5-year survival rate for Breslow thickness between 0.76 - 1.50 mm?

Answer 13

80-96%

Question 14

What is the approximate 5-year survival rate for Breslow thickness between 1.51 - 4 mm?

Answer 14

60-75%

Question 15

What is the approximate 5-year survival rate for Breslow thickness > 4 mm?

Answer 15

50%