Melanoma

Question 1

define melanoma

Answer 1

malignancy arising from neoplastic transformation of melanocytes, the pigment-forming skin cells.

Question 2

what are the risk factors of melanoma?

Answer 2

• DNA damage caused by ultraviolet radiation

Question 3

what are the 4 types of melanoma?

Answer 3

• Superficial spreading
• Nodular
• Lentigo maligna
• Acral lentiginous

Question 4

which is the most common type?

Answer 4

Superficial spreading

Question 5

features of superficial spreading?

Answer 5

Arms, legs, back and chest, young people

Question 6

features of nodular?

Answer 6

Sun exposed skin, middle-aged people

red or black lump

Question 7

features of lentigo maligna?

Answer 7

Normally on the face
Chronically sun-exposed skin, older people
Large flat lesion

Question 8

features of Acral lentiginous?

Answer 8

Nails, palms or soles, African Americans or Asians

Question 9

epidemiology of melanoma?

Answer 9

• WHITE races have 20 x increased risk

Question 10

where are mets most common?

Answer 10

1. Lung mets
2. Brain mets
3. Liver mets

Question 11

how to examine a mole?

Answer 11

• A - asymmetry
• B - border irregularity
• C - colour variation
• D - diameter > 6 mm
• E - elevation/evolution

Question 12

first line investigation?

Answer 12

Excisional Biopsy