Nodular melanoma. No longer as simple as ABC.
BACKGROUND
Malignant melanoma is the fourth most commonly diagnosed malignancy in Australia. Nodular melanoma (NM) comprise less than 15% of all melanoma but account for up to 70% of those thicker than 3 mm.


OBJECTIVE
This article describes the clinical features of NM, its prognosis and management.


CONCLUSIONS
Nodular melanoma presents very differently from superficial spreading melanoma, and does not meet the 'ABCD' criteria used to alert doctors and patients to the possibility of this diagnosis. Due to their rapidly developing depth of invasion, urgent referral and wide excision are advised.
Kelly
John W
JW
Dermatology Unit, Victorian Melanoma Service, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria. kellyderm@bigpond.com
Chamberlain
Alexander J
AJ
Staples
Margaret P
MP
McAvoy
Brian
B
D001315:Australia; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy