Melanoma

Melanoma: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor that develops from melanocytes. The most common case (70% of cases) is when a seemingly harmless mole degenerates into melanoma. The causes of melanoma can be various, including increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, thermal or chemical burns, permanent trauma to the mole, and heredity.

Symptoms of melanoma can manifest themselves in the form of rapid growth of a mole, its change in shape, color and consistency, inflammation and pain. To prevent the development of melanoma, it is necessary to regularly examine all moles on the skin.

To diagnose melanoma, it is necessary to have the skin and moles examined by an oncologist. If melanoma is suspected, a skin biopsy and ultrasound examination of the lymph nodes are performed.

Treatment for melanoma depends on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, melanoma can be removed surgically. If the tumor has already begun to spread to other organs, complex treatment is required, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy.

It is important to remember that melanoma is the most aggressive of all malignant tumors. Therefore, if you have moles, monitor their condition and consult a doctor at the first sign of change. Early detection of melanoma can save lives.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm that develops from melanocytes - the cells responsible for the production of the pigment melanin, which is responsible for skin color. Melanomas can appear on any area of ​​the skin, including the face, neck, arms, legs and torso. They are usually black in color and are the most aggressive types of skin cancer.

To understand more detailed information, it is necessary to distinguish 2 types of this melanoma.

1. Malignant melanoma is the third most common form of malignant skin tumor. The occurrence of pretumor disorders is considered a normal physiological phenomenon. The penetration of cancer cells into normal skin is facilitated by microtrauma or complications after hair removal. Hidden cancer is easily detected in the non-pigmented area of ​​the eye and conjunctiva. It is from these tissues that it most often develops. Otherwise, the formation of a tumor depends on the thickness of its surface layer. 2. Regional, nodal, mixed. Features of the occurrence of malignant tumors are associated with their localization. Nodular melanomas appear predominantly on the skin of the face and the back of the hands. The tumor has a characteristic feature - it grows inward and can lead to compression of nerves and blood vessels, even leading to destruction of the hand or fingers. If the focus is in open areas, then when the surrounding “nodes” degenerate, it is almost motionless and noticeably strengthened. 3