Table of Contents
Preface xi
1 Introduction: You Have Melanoma. Now What? 1
2 The Five-Step Plan: Navigating the "Mad Rush" Phase 5
Step 1 Get the Information: The Pathology Report 5
Why You Need a Copy of the Pathology Report 6
Understanding the Report 7
Step 2 Assess the Reliability of the Information 12
Which Specialist Makes the Diagnosis? 12
Why Does It Matter Which Pathologist? 12
How to Verify the Accuracy of the Diagnosis 14
What to Do if You Are Not Satisfied with the Diagnosis 14
What to Do if the Reports Conflict 16
Step 3 Find the Clinical Experts in Your Area 16
Stacy's and Helen's Stories 17
How to Find Experts Near Your Home 20
What to Do if You Cannot Find Experts Near Your Home 22
Step 4 Understand Your Treatment Options and the AJCC Staging System 23
What Is the AJCC Staging System? 23
Interpreting the AJCC Staging System 24
How Does Your Doctor Identify the Stage of Your Disease? 29
Understand Your Treatment Options 34
Step 5 Understand Survival Rate and Prognosis 42
3 The "Marathon" Phase: Surviving Melanoma 47
Medical Follow-Up 48
Why Do You Need Continual Follow-Up Examinations? 48
Which Specialist or Specialists Should You See for Follow-Ups? 48
How Frequently Should You Have Follow-Up Exams? 49
What Should You Expect during Follow-Up Visits? 49
Who Is at Risk for Developing Melanoma? 50
What Is Your Skin Color? 50
How Much Sun Exposure Have You Had? 51
What Is Your Personal and Family History? 51
Do You Have Large Moles that Were Present at Birth? 53
Preventing Melanoma 53
Primary Prevention: Avoid Excessive UV Exposure 54
Secondary Prevention: Detecting Melanoma at an Early Stage 59
Why You Should Not Use Tanning Booths 66
Medical Developments 67
Computer-Assisted Diagnostic Devices 67
MoleSafe 69
Confocal Laser Microscopy 69
Genetic Analysis 70
4 Networking: Finding and Sharing Information 73
How Can I Get Involved? 74
Recommended Web Sites 75
5 Beating Melanoma: The Checklist 76
Appendixes
A Basal Cell Cancer 78
B Squamous Cell Cancer 80
C Melanoma Image Library 82
Glossary 83
Index 89
