- 🔬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.