malignant melanoma

Question 1

what is melanoma

Answer 1

an invasive malignant tumour of the epidermal melanocytes

Question 2

risk factors for melanoma

Answer 2

• intermittent but extreme sun exposure
• skin type 1
• hx of multiple moles or atypical moles
• FH of melanoma
• prev hx of melanoma

Question 3

most common sites for melanoma

Answer 3

men- back

women- legs

Question 4

assessment of melanoma

Answer 4

ABCDE
asymmetrical
border irregularity
colour (>2)
diameter (>6mm)
evolving lesion (changed)

Question 5

what is the main prognostic factor of melanoma

Answer 5

breslow thickness- depth of lesion

Question 6

management of melanoma

Answer 6

wide local exision- margin of excision depends on breslow thickness

Question 7

what is the most common type of melanoma and what does it look like

Answer 7

superficial spreading melanoma

slowly (months-yrs) enlarging flat area of discoloured skin which may later become raised and irregular

Question 8

features of lentigo maligna melanoma

Answer 8

common on the face in the elderly grows slowly over period of years

Question 9

what type of melanoma is most invasive

Answer 9

nodular melanoma

rapidly growing dome shaped nodule

Question 10

what type of melanoma has equal rates in caucasian and brown people

Answer 10

acral lentiginous melanoma- palms, soles, nail beds

Question 11

what type of melanoma typically has a starburst pattern

Answer 11

spitzoid melanoma (rare)