Melanoma

Question 1

What are the 4 types of melanoma?

Answer 1

1. superficial spreading
2. nodular
3. lentigo maligna
4. acral lentiginous

Question 2

What is SUPERFICIAL SPREADING melanoma?

Answer 2

• the most common type found on the arms, legs, chest and back.
• grows slowly at first, and SPREADS out across the SURFACE of the skin.

Question 3

What is NODULAR melanoma?

Answer 3

• second most common type.
• grows more quickly than other melanomas.
• more likely to lose its color when growing, becoming RED rather than black.
• more commonly found on the chest, back, head or neck.

Question 4

What is LENTIGO MALIGNA melanoma?

Answer 4

• less common, usually found in the FACE and NECK of older people, in areas of skin that have had a lot of sun exposure over many years
• develops from a slow-growing precancerous condition called a lentigo maligna or Hutchinson’s freckle, which looks like a stain on the skin.
• slow-growing and less dangerous than the other types of melanoma.

Question 5

What is ACRAL LENTIGINOUS melanoma?

Answer 5

• rarest type, usually found on the PALMS of the hands, SOLES of the feet, or under FINGERNAILS or toenails.
• more common in people with black or brown skin.
• not thought to be related to sun exposure.