Beating Melanoma

Steven Q. Wang, M.D., is director of dermatologic surgery and dermatology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Basking Ridge, New Jersey. He has published widely in medical journals and academic textbooks; has lectured extensively in the United States, Britain, Italy, Israel, Spain, Canada, China, Hong Kong, and Mexico; and has been featured as a skin cancer expert in the New York Times.

• Preface1. Introduction: You Have Melanoma. Now What?2. The Five-Step Plan: Navigating the "Mad Rush" PhaseStep 1. Get the Information: The Pathology ReportWhy You Need a Copy of the Pathology ReportUnderstanding the ReportStep 2. Assess the Reliability of the InformationWhich Specialist Makes the Diagnosis?Why Does It Matter Which Pathologist?How to Verify the Accuracy of the DiagnosisWhat to Do if You Are Not Satisfied with the DiagnosisWhat to Do if the Reports ConflictStep 3. Find the Clinical Experts in Your AreaStacy's and Helen's StoriesHow to Find Experts Near Your HomeWhat to Do if You Cannot Find Experts Near Your HomeStep 4. Understand Your Treatment Options and the AJCC Staging SystemWhat Is the AJCC Staging System?Interpreting the AJCC Staging SystemHow Does Your Doctor Identify the Stage of Your Disease?Understand Your Treatment OptionsStep 5. Understand Survival Rate and Prognosis3. The "Marathon" Phase: Surviving MelanomaMedical Follow-UpWhy Do You Need Continual Follow-Up Examinations?Which Specialist or Specialists Should You See forFollow-Ups?How Frequently Should You Have Follow-Up Exams?What Should You Expect during Follow-Up Visits?Who Is at Risk for Developing Melanoma?What Is Your Skin Color?How Much Sun Exposure Have You Had?What Is Your Personal and Family History?Do You Have Large Moles that Were Present at Birth?Preventing MelanomaPrimary Prevention: Avoid Excessive UV ExposureSecondary Primary: Detecting Melanoma at an Early StageWhy You Should Not Use Tanning BoothsMedical DevelopmentsComputer-Assisted Diagnostic DevicesMoleSafeConfocal Laser MicroscopyGenetic Analysis4. Networking: Finding and Sharing InformationHow Can I Get Involved?Recommended Web Sites5. Beating Melanoma: The ChecklistAppendixesA. Basal Cell CancerB. Squamous Cell CancerC. Melanoma Image LibraryGlossaryIndex

Any general lending library and many a health collection needs this! Midwest Book Review 2011