Melanoma, C64 P471-476 Flashcards
What is it?
P471
Neoplastic disorder produced by
malignant transformation of the
melanocyte; melanocytes are derived
from neural crest cells
Which patients are at
greatest risk?
P471
White patients with blonde/red hair, fair skin, freckling, a history of blistering sunburns, blue/green eyes, actinic keratosis Male > female
What are the most common
sites (3)?
P471
- Skin
- Eyes
- Anus
(Think: SEA = Skin, Eyes, Anus)
What is the most common
site in African Americans?
P472
Palms of the hands, soles of the feet
acral lentiginous melanoma
What characteristics are
suggestive of melanoma?
P472
Usually a pigmented lesion with an irregular border, irregular surface, or irregular coloration Other clues: darkening of a pigmented lesion, development of pigmented satellite lesions, irregular margins or surface elevations, notching, recent or rapid enlargement, erosion or ulceration of surface, pruritus
What are the “ABCDs” of
melanoma?
P472
Asymmetry
Border irregularity
Color variation
Diameter >6 mm and Dark lesion
What are the associated risk
factors?
P472
Severe sunburn before age 18, giant
congenital nevi, family history, race
(White), ultraviolet radiation (sun),
multiple dysplastic nevi
How does location differ in
men and women?
P472
Men get more lesions on the trunk;
women on the extremities
Which locations are
unusual?
P472
Noncutaneous regions, such as mucous
membranes of the vulva/vagina, anorectum,
esophagus, and choroidal layer of the eye
What is the most common
site of melanoma in men?
P472
Back (33%)
What is the most common
site of melanoma in women?
P472
Legs (33%)
What are the four major
histologic types?
P472
- Superficial spreading
- Lentigo maligna
- Acral lentiginous
- Nodular
Define the following terms:
Superficial spreading melanoma
P472
Occurs in both sun-exposed and
non-exposed areas; most common
of all melanomas (75%)
Define the following terms:
Lentigo maligna melanoma
P473
Malignant cells that are superficial, found usually in elderly patients on the head or neck Called “Hutchinson’s freckle” if noninvasive Least aggressive type; very good prognosis Accounts for < 10% of all melanomas
Define the following terms:
Acral lentiginous melanoma
P473
Occurs on the palms, soles, subungual areas, and mucous membranes Accounts for ≈5% of all melanomas (most common melanoma in African American patients; ≈50%)
Define the following terms:
Nodular melanoma
P473
Vertical growth predominates
Lesions are usually dark
Most aggressive type/worst prognosis
Accounts for ≈15% of all melanomas
Define the following terms:
Amelanotic melanoma
P473
Melanoma from melanocytes but with
obvious lack of pigment
What is the most common
type of melanoma?
P473
Superficial spreading (≈75%) (Think: SUPERficial = SUPERior)
What type of melanoma
arises in Hutchinson’s
freckle?
P473
Lentigo maligna melanoma
What is Hutchinson’s
freckle?
P473
Lentigo maligna melanoma in the radial
growth phase without vertical extension
(noninvasive); usually occurs on the
faces of elderly women