Now completely updated! The essential guide for people with melanoma. In Beating Melanoma, world-renowned skin cancer expert Dr. Steven Q. Wang provides an indispensable guide for those diagnosed with melanoma. Now in its second edition and completely revised, this practical guide offers up-to-date research on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of melanoma, and a readable narrative that demystifies everything from the pathology report to the stages of cancer. This new edition features updated information on new immunotherapies and targeted therapies, as well as access to online interviews with more than 25 leading melanoma experts from fields including dermatology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, dermatopathology, and genetics. Beating Melanoma approaches the disease in two phases. First, Dr. Wang lays out a step-by-step guide for approaching the "mad rush" phase-an intense and stressful period from diagnosis to completing initial treatment. Dr. Wang's calm guidance helps readers through this critical time with an easy-to-understand plan for ensuring optimal treatment and survival outcomes. Once the mad rush phase is over, the "marathon phase" begins-life resumes its normal shape but with lingering concerns about new melanoma and metastases. Here Dr. Wang addresses common questions about prevention and prognosis. This guide is a thorough, comforting, and informative book for melanoma patients and their families.
Steven Q. Wang, MD, is the director of dermatologic oncology at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, where he specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of skin cancer. He has been featured as a skin cancer expert in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.
Preface Melanoma Experts 1. Introduction: You Have Melanoma. Now What? 2. The Five-Step Plan: Navigating the "Mad Rush" Phase Step 1: Understand the Diagnostic Information in the Pathology Report Step 2: Understand the Severity of Your Melanoma with the AJCC Staging System Step 3: Understand Your Treatment Options Step 4: Understand Survival Rate and Prognosis Step 5: Find the Clinical Experts in Your Area 3. The "Marathon" Phase: Surviving Melanoma Medical Follow-Up Why Do You Need Continual Follow-Up? When Do Melanomas Usually Recur? What Physicians Look for to See If a Melanoma Is Coming Back or Has Spread Elsewhere? What is My Risk of Getting Another Melanoma? What Specialist or Specialists Should You See for Follow Ups? How Frequently Should You Have Follow-Up Exams? What Should You Expect during Follow-Up Visits? What Can I Do to Improve the Appearance of My Scar How Does a Dermatologist Find a New Melanoma? Total Body Skin Exam The ABCDE Rule Ugly Duckling Sign Symptomatic Lesions Dermoscopy Exam Total Body Photography Short-Term Follow Up with Digital Photos Confocal Laser Microscopy Biopsy & Pathology-the Gold Standard How Can You Find a New Melanoma? How to Prevent Melanoma? Why You Should Not Use Tanning Devices? Who Else in My Family Is at Risk for Developing Melanoma? What Is Your Skin and Hair Color? What Is Your Age and Sex? How Much Sun Exposure Have You Had? Do You have a Personal and Family History of Atypical Moles and Melanoma? Do You Have Any Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer? Do You Have Large Moles that Were Present at Birth? Are You Immune Suppressed? Do You Have Any Genetic Disposition? Technical Innovations Artificial Intelligence Genetic Expression Profiling 4. Networking: Finding and Sharing Information 5. Beating Melanoma: The Checklist Appendixes Basal Cell Cancer Squamous Cell Cancer Glossary Index
Now completely updated! The essential guide for people with melanoma.
Any general lending library and many a health collection needs this! --Midwest Book Review Dr. Wang provides all the information necessary to intelligently and effectively confront a melanoma diagnosis. An essential resource for those individuals recently diagnosed with melanoma. --Tara G., melanoma survivor This book is suitable for a wide audience, from patients to health care professionals . . . It gathers together all the important information you need to get on and make decisions . . . This book will empower you--read it! --Macmillan Cancer Support Well written, informative, and easy to read. Dr. Wang delivers the information with a fresh perspective that will certainly empower patients as they deal with this dangerous skin cancer. Every melanoma patient needs to read this book! --Harold S. Rabinovitz, MD, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
