Indiana University

Melanoma
  • Asymmetry
  • Border irregularity
  • Color variability
  • Diameter > 6 mm
  • Elevation (usually but not always present)
    • Most common sites for women are the upper back and lower legs; most common sites for men are the upper back
    • Most patients note a change in the color of a preexisting lesion. Development of a new pigmented lesion, bleeding and itching are other signs and symptoms that may accompany a melanoma
    • Family history of melanoma or atypical (dysplastic) nevi are important risk factors
      • Histology: Atypical melanocytes are present in nests and scattered singly in the epidermis; the location of tumor cells in the dermis determines the depth of invasion; mitotic figures may be present in the dermal component; a lymphocytic host response to the tumor is often present
      • See laboratory section for additional examples of histology

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