Melanoma

Key points

• Melanoma: ABCDE features — Asymmetry · Border irregularity · Colour variation · Diameter > 6 mm · Evolving/enlarging.
• Major risk factors: UV exposure, fair skin, multiple/atypical naevi, family history.
• Excision biopsy for diagnosis (do NOT shave); Breslow thickness is the key prognostic factor.
• Refer suspicious lesions on the 2-week-wait pathway; SLNB for staging in thicker lesions.
• Subungual melanoma: longitudinal pigmented nail band (Hutchinson's sign — pigment on nail fold).

Decision points in this pathway

• Suspicious?

The full step-by-step algorithm, including what to do at each branch, opens in the app for approved members.