A 55-year-old has a pigmented lesion with an irregular border, variegated colour, a diameter of 8 mm and recent growth. What is the most appropriate action?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Urgent cancer pathway referral for excision biopsy
- Step 1: The ABCDE features (asymmetry, border, colour, diameter, evolution) suggest melanoma. Step 2. Complete excision with narrow margins gives accurate histology, since Breslow thickness determines the prognosis and the wide excision margin. Answer: Urgent cancer pathway referral for excision biopsy. Why not the others: Observation delays treatment. Cryotherapy destroys the lesion without histology. Shave biopsy can transect the tumour and prevent accurate Breslow measurement.
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