Malignant melanoma

Malignant melanoma favors Caucasians; Queensland Australia is the highest-incidence region. China has low incidence but diagnosis is often late. Age 30-60; rare juvenile melanoma (Spitz, 1.5-12 years); younger age = better prognosis. Truncal lesions favor males; extremity lesions favor females; facial lentigo melanoma favors elderly women.

Common Symptoms

Pigmented skin lesion; anterior chamber pigment deposition

Causes

Fair skin/blue eyes/blond hair; ~half arise in preexisting nevi. Familial atypical multiple mole syndrome. Sunburn (second-degree with blisters) is more important than ordinary sun exposure. Pathological types: superficial spreading (~70%), nodular (~15%, vertical growth, nodal metastases), acral lentiginous (~10%, palms/soles/nails/mucosa), lentigo maligna (~5%, elderly face, horizontal growth 2-3 cm), unclassified radial, giant hairy nevus, mucosal, unknown primary, blue nevus, visceral, childhood intradermal. Growth: radial phase (years, low metastasis) then vertical phase (nodular can skip radial). Breslow thickness (mm) is the key prognostic metric: ≤0.75, 0.75-1.5, >1.5 mm.

Treatment

Surgery; drug therapy; supportive care

Prevention

Avoid sun; sunscreen; early detection/diagnosis/treatment. Prognosis: thinner = better (Balch 1982: ≤0.75 mm 5y 89% vs ≥4 mm 25%); nodal status strongly predicts; trunk worst, extremities best. Wide excision margins: ≤0.75 mm → 2-3 cm; 0.75-4 mm → 3-4 cm; >4 mm → 5 cm. Younger/female better.

Recommended Department

It is recommended to visit the oncological surgery department; before the visit you may first book an appointment and connect with experts through this platform.

Warm reminder: The above information is provided for health education reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek care at a regular hospital in time.