Skin Cancer: Melanoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer, with intense UV radiation exposure as a primary risk factor.
• Sunburn history and suspicious lesions necessitate primary care clinician awareness and patient monitoring.
• The ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Borders, Color, Diameter, Evolution) aid in identifying potentially cancerous moles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the recognition, diagnosis, and management of melanoma for primary care clinicians.
• To emphasize the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment pathways for melanoma patients.
• To highlight the role of multidisciplinary care and lifelong follow-up in melanoma management.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing ABCDE criteria for suspicious lesion assessment.
• Employing dermatoscopy for enhanced diagnostic accuracy.
• Recommending excisional biopsy over incisional biopsy for suspected melanoma.
• Describing surgical excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy based on melanoma stage.

Main Results:

• Early detection through ABCDE criteria and dermatoscopy improves diagnostic yield.
• Excisional biopsy is the preferred method for diagnosing melanoma.
• Staging dictates treatment, ranging from surgical excision for early stages to combination therapy for metastatic disease.
• Multidisciplinary management and regular follow-up are essential for all melanoma patients.

Conclusions:

• Primary care clinicians must be adept at recognizing melanoma using ABCDE criteria.
• Prompt diagnosis and appropriate staging are critical for effective melanoma treatment.
• Lifelong annual skin examinations are recommended for all patients with a history of melanoma (Stage IA-IV).