Melanoma Screening
Melanoma is the most serious skin cancer. Early detection through screening dramatically improves survival -- the five-year rate exceeds 99% at stage I.
Symptoms
A new or changing mole with asymmetry, irregular borders, color variation, diameter over six millimeters, or evolution over time (ABCDE criteria). May also present as a dark nail streak.
Causes and risk
UV exposure, blistering sunburns, fair skin, many moles (over 50), atypical moles, family history, and immunosuppression are key risk factors.
How it is evaluated
Full-body skin exam with dermoscopy. Concerning moles are biopsied -- excisional biopsy with narrow margins ensures accurate staging. Breslow thickness guides prognosis.
Treatment
Early melanoma: wide local excision. Sentinel lymph node biopsy for tumors over 0.8 mm. Advanced melanoma: immunotherapy or targeted therapy with oncology referral. Our Chicago team provides screening, biopsy, and oncology coordination.