Melanoma

Dermatology · ~4% of blueprint

Pathophysiology: Malignant transformation of melanocytes (UV exposure a major risk); can metastasize early.
Signs & Symptoms: Pigmented lesion with ABCDE features — Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6 mm, Evolving.
Gold Standard Diagnosis: Full-thickness excisional biopsy; Breslow depth is the key prognostic factor.
First-line Treatment: Wide local excision (margins by depth); sentinel node biopsy / immunotherapy for advanced disease.

High-Yield Pearl

Breslow depth drives prognosis; use the ABCDEs to flag suspicious lesions for excisional biopsy.

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