Melanoma – Polypoid Melanoma

Polypoid Melanoma is a rare subtype of melanoma that I occasionally encounter in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Polypoid Melanoma is a clinical variant of a Nodular Melanoma.  It appears as a Nodular Melanoma but has a narrow stalk at the base attaching it to the skin surface.  Although most Polypoid Melanomas do not have a deep dermal component and appear very superficial, they have a very poor 5 year survival that is under 50% which is lower than most typical Nodular Melanomas.  Treatment of Polypoid Melanomas is wide excision with/without sentinel lymph node biopsy and lifelong surveillance by a board certified dermatologist.