Melanoma and skin cancer

There are three main types of malignant skin tumour:

Epitheliomas (very common lesions). There are various types, most notably:

• Basal cell epithelioma, the most common type of skin cancer. It occurs most commonly in people with white skin, usually aged 45 and above. The main risk factor is sun exposure. In 95% of cases, the tumour appears on the face or neck. Although it will not metastasise, failure to treat the tumour can lead to serious injury, in particular when it is located near the eyes, nose, mouth or ears.
• Squamous cell epithelioma, also known as epidermoid carcinoma. It usually occurs in individuals older than 40 years. The main risk factor is sun exposure. It appears mainly in areas exposed to the sun (face and hands) and on mucous membranes (mouth, anus and genitalia).

Melanomas

Malignant melanoma is far less common than epithelioma. It occurs most commonly in white skin. Sun exposure is a key risk factor. It can take the form of a black lesion recently appeared on otherwise healthy skin. It can also appear on existing “beauty marks” or “moles”. Any part of the body can be affected, including mucous membranes and conjunctiva.

Learn more on the official website of INCa, the French National Cancer Institute (summary version available in English)

When a melanoma has been confirmed, it is treated primarily by surgery; the lesion, along with a safety margin, is removed.

Removing a skin tumour (exeresis), whether large or small, is still considered to be surgery. Surgical exeresis must remove the entire tumour, including a “safety margin”, i.e. additional tissue from around and below the tumour, in order to prevent reoccurrence. Lesions are always examined under a microscope, as this is the only way of confirming whether the tumour is benign or malignant (cancerous). In the case of large tumours or tumours in difficult locations, or if your doctor is not sure whether it is malignant, your surgeon may carry out a biopsy (removal of a small part of the lesion).

MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEETING

Every week, specialists come together during a multidisciplinary team meeting, including surgeons, radiologists, medical oncologists, radiotherapists and anatomical pathologists.
After you have undergone surgery and the histological results have been confirmed, your medical file will be discussed at these meetings, and recommendations on the most suitable treatment will be made. At your post-surgery consultation, your surgeon will discuss with you the recommendations presented at meeting.

All results are communicated to your general practitioner and your dermatologist.