Melanoma: A case of unusual moles on a 48-year-old’s body
A 48-year-old woman presented to the hospital with a complaint of moles on her back, abdomen and extremities. The doctors diagnosed it as melanoma. Furthermore, they developed over a period of six months.
Examination
The doctors examined the moles, which were brown and black in colour. Furthermore, the doctors discovered that she also had eczema. Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, which causes itching and bleeding. Additionally, to exclude cancer, the doctors performed a biopsy of the moles.
Melanoma: Unusual Moles
The term used for this pattern of distribution is eruptive nevi. It is an uncommon condition and can be due to a number of reasons. For example, changes in hormone levels in the body, medications, and disturbance in the immune system. However, the 48-year-old did not have any of these underlying causes. Moreover, no similar cases of eruptive nevi have been reported in the past.
The usual cases of eruptive nevi present with a scattered distribution of moles. However, this woman had a unique presentation. Her physical examination was significant for moles on her back and extremities. In addition to that, the borders were well-defined.
Treatment
The result of the biopsy was positive for melanoma for some of the moles.
The doctors surgically removed the largest moles on the woman’s body, leaving the other moles as is. Furthermore, they tested the woman for internal melanoma because this cancer can spread to the internal organs. However, the report was negative.
“She will probably need lifelong skin surveillance to monitor for melanoma”
SAID DR. HENSIN TSAO, A DERMATOLOGIST WHO TREATED THE WOMAN AND THE SENIOR AUTHOR OF THE CASE
