This patient was referred with a changing skin lesion on his right upper back.
Dermoscopy - Introduction, Terminology and Structures
A document to help you understand the dermoscopic descriptions used in this blog.
Dermoscopy Algorithm
To help you work through dermoscopic cases.
The lesion is melanocytic as defined by the small focus of network and brown dots/clods (black circle). The lesion is asymmetrical, and much of it is taken up by a large eccentric structureless area, as you will see by the algorithm this is suspicious. In addition there are multiple white lines, best seen in the purple circle, which gives additional cause for concern.
The lesion was excised and found to be a melanoma arising from a pre-existing naevus, with a Breslow thickness of 1.6 mm.
Patient's frequently tell us they cover up there moles when in the sun ... in reality only about 20% of melanomas arise from pre-existing benign melanocytic naevi, the rest arise de novo - the message is simply that patients need to take care of all their skin, and not just their moles.
Copied with kind permission from South Tees NHS Foundation Trust.
