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I had a large birthmark removed in 1985 that was termed "precancerous melanoma." At 50, I have lots of skin irregularities. Am I still at risk for melanoma?

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Melanoma, skin cancer, cancer risk, signs of skin cancer

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Topics (Tags):

Cancer Risk Skin Cancer Signs Of Skin Cancer Melanoma

Topics:

Cancer Risk X Skin Cancer X Signs Of Skin Cancer X Melanoma X

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Answers (1)

PeterBeitschMD (Physician - Surgery - Surgical Oncology (Verified) ) - 03 / 03 / 2012

Large 'birthmarks' or 'congenital nevomelanocytic nevus' (CNN), known commonly as the congenital hairy nevus, denotes a pigmented skin lesion present at birth and are a risk factor for developing a melanoma. Based on diameter, CNN are characterized as small (< 1.5 cm), medium (1.5-19.5 cm), and large or giant (>20 cm in adolescents and adults or predicted to reach 20 cm by adulthood). For small CNN, risk rates have been reported between 0.8% and 4.9% up to ~50% for giant CNN. A study of the Dutch nationwide pathology database reported an incidence rate of 12.2% of developing melanoma in patients with any sized CNN. Malignancy should be suspected with focal growth, pain, bleeding, ulceration, significant pigmentary change, or pruritus.

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Latest Activity: 03 / 03 / 2012
Views: 108
Followed By: 2 members