Tuyển tập báo cáo các nghiên cứu khoa học quốc tế ngành y học dành cho các bạn tham khảo đề tài: Clinical guidelines for the recognition of melanoma of the foot and nail unit. | Bristow et al. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2010 3 25 http content 3 1 25 JOURNAL OF FOOT AND ANKLE RESEARCH REVIEW Open Access Clinical guidelines for the recognition of melanoma of the foot and nail unit Ivan R Bristow1 David AR de Berker2 Katharine M Acland3 Richard J Turner4 Jonathan Bowling4 Abstract Malignant melanoma is a life threatening skin tumour which may arise on the foot. The prognosis for the condition is good when lesions are diagnosed and treated early. However lesions arising on the soles and within the nail unit can be difficult to recognise leading to delays in diagnosis. These guidelines have been drafted to alert health care practitioners to the early signs of the disease so an early diagnosis can be sought. Overview and scope of the guidelines Melanoma is a life threatening but potentially treatable form of cancer if diagnosed and managed at an early stage. Guidelines have been published to assist healthcare workers in the recognition of malignant melanoma of the skin 1 . However early melanoma arising on the foot particularly within the nail unit and on the plantar surface can be difficult to recognise. Consequently this can lead to delays in diagnosis. Melanoma arising on the foot carries a particularly poor prognosis when compared to melanoma arising at other body sites 2-4 . As there are no consistent features of an early melanoma these guidelines have been drafted to alert health care workers to the signs which may suggest melanoma and therefore warrant a specialist referral. A melanoma recognised and diagnosed at an early stage can dramatically increase a patient s chances of survival. This guide has been produced as a reference for health care professionals who may be confronted with pigmented and amelanotic lesions on the foot. It has been split into two sections-melanoma on the skin of the foot and melanoma in the nail. The paper is designed to act as a guide in deciding whether a presenting lesion should
