Melanoma: what the primary care physician needs to know

Abstract

Melanoma is a serious public health issue. More than 53,000 individuals will be diagnosed with this potentially devastating disease in 2002, making it one of the fastest-growing cancer risks in the country. Diagnosis and management at an early stage result in an excellent outcome in most patients, but more advanced stages of this disease can portend a dire prognosis. In this review, melanoma pathology, risk factors, staging, and treatment are reviewed. Screening, prevention, and early detection are discussed. Diagnosis and management of melanoma before, during, and after pregnancy is a controversial topic that is covered in this review, as is the safety of hormone replacement therapy in patients with melanoma. A combination of preventive behavior, vigilance, and appropriate management before, during, and after pregnancy can result in decreased risk and improved outcomes.