Get answers to your Melanoma questions.
Skin cancer; Squamous cell cancer; Basal cell cancer; Actinic keratosis; Nonmelanoma skin cancer
An experienced doctor should first rule out noncancerous (benign) conditions that resemble melanoma, such as a mole called a melanocytic nevi.
In rare instances, a melanoma will be difficult to detect. For example, an uncommon form called a myxoid melanoma may be mistaken for a benign skin disorder known as a myxoid fibrohistiocytic lesion. Other opinions from a pathologist, computerized image processing, or advanced staining techniques may help to confirm the diagnosis.
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has found that melanoma tends to be diagnosed at a later stage in people who are not light-skinned. The study involved nearly 50,000 patients with melanoma, and included Caucasians, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders, African-Americans, and American Indians.
A combination of imaging approaches should be considered for early melanoma detection and diagnosis since each technique alone has limitations. Some doctors now use various handheld scope-like devices (dermoscopy, dermatoscopy, or epiluminescence microscopy) that enhance the suspected lesion.
A skin biopsy is the removal of skin tissue for examination under a microscope. The exact type of biopsy depends on how deep the lesion has penetrated the skin.
All of the above-mentioned biopsies can be done using local anesthesia.
A lymph node biopsy may be used for patients with recently diagnosed melanoma to help determine whether the cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes.
A procedure called sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is now recommended for cancers that are thicker than 1 millimeter. It is usually not necessary for cancers thinner than 0.75 millimeter, unless they have opened (ulcerated). Although some evidence suggests this procedure may improve survival, no clinical trials to date have proven that this procedure improves the outlook in people with thin melanoma.
This procedure involves the following:
The results of the biopsy can help doctors decide whether or not to remove other lymph nodes:
Patients with nom-melanoma skin cancers generally require no further workup.
Those with melanoma may need the following:
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