Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States,[1,2] and it is a major public health concern.[2-4] An estimated 8,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, and nearly 5 million people are treated annually for this malignancy.[2,4] Indeed, the incidence and associated healthcare expenditures of skin cancer continue to rise.[2,4]
Foto Fuente Medscape
Although many skin cancers are highly curable if detected early and appropriately treated, certain types are particularly aggressive and have a propensity for invasion and metastasis. For example, melanoma is the third most common type of skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (collectively, keratinocyte carcinoma),[1] accounting for only 1% of such cases[5]; however, it comprises the vast majority of skin cancer deaths.[1,5] The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates there will be more than 10,130 deaths from melanoma and an additional 3,520 deaths from skin cancers other than melanoma and keratinocyte carcinoma in 2016.[5]
The image depicts the typical appearance of a malignant melanoma. Note the presence of asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, a large diameter (>6 mm), and an elevated (evolving) appearance—these «ABCDE’s» outline the characteristics of melanoma.[5]
Fuente: Medscape
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