Today - let’s talk Zebra 

In the practice of medicine as we formulate our differential (possible) diagnoses we come up with a plan. Part of the plan is confirming a diagnosis so we can treat our patients.  We in medicine sometimes will refer to a term called looking for the “zebra”. Usually it refers to an unusual rare diagnosis.   You have exhausted the most common reasons...  go into “Dr house” mode

Well you see my form of melanoma is/ was a rare form called nodular.  Most the common not “zebras “ are black and flat and irregular.   The post I showed yesterday was pink raised and perfectly round.   Melanoma is known as the “Black beast”  not the “pink beast”.  Around 10 percent melanomas are nodular.  They can be black, blue, brown and pink. Go figure it was my diagnosis with no family medical history until. Recently... see my post about numb.  The reason it is more dangerous is that it grows deep and is more likely to spread as a result.  It grows fast.   When my biopsy went to pathology Melanoma was NOT in the differential diagnosisI am fortunate I went when to the Dermatologist I did.   I had a Zebra 

if you have a skin lesion, please check it out.   I have diagnosed many in the past.  This again was the Zebra.... thanks for following these posts.  Each letter has meaning and may save a life!  

I think you will learn and enjoy each post as I got through the alphabet of Emotions!

thanks for your time  

Best of health to you! 

Barb 

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