7 Rules Not to Miss Melanoma

The presentation outlines seven important rules for the evaluation and management of melanoma and other skin cancers. The first rule emphasizes the necessity of conducting a comprehensive body examination rather than focusing on isolated lesions, highlighting that multiple cancers can be present even if a patient believes there are none. Rule two stresses the significance of dermoscopy in identifying skin cancers that may not be visibly suspicious. Rules three and four discuss the importance of context in evaluating atypical lesions; solitary lesions warrant more scrutiny than those that are part of multiple atypical nevi. Rule five advises practitioners to trust their own clinical assessments over patient-reported histories about longstanding lesions. Rule six underscores the importance of collaboration with pathologists, especially when dealing with ambiguous diagnoses such as dysplastic nevi. Lastly, rule seven encourages clinicians to follow established protocols when faced with equivocal nodules to ensure cancerous lesions are not overlooked. Throughout the talk, illustrative case studies reinforce the necessity of adhering to these rules for effective patient care.