Prognosis is related to depth of invasion
Will metastasize to the weirdest places
No evidence that SPF sunscreen is protective against melanoma (however, protective for SCC and BCC)
Diagnosis:
With excisional biopsy Positive S-100 tumor marker
Treatment:
Surgery
INF alpha 2b (may help)
Pneumonic:
ABCDEEs
Asymmetry
irregular Borders
Color change
increasing Diameter
E levation (benign is flat)
E nlargement
Notes:
Superficial spreading has the best prognosis
Nodular melanoma has the worst prognosis
Acrolentiginous type (in african americans)-look for black dots on palms/soles or underneath finger nails
