Does melanoma develop quickly?

Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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If melanoma is diagnosed, this disease must not be taken lightly. It is crucial to seek timely medical treatment and not miss the optimal treatment window, thus avoiding serious consequences.

The progression of melanoma is very rapid, so once detected, it should be treated as soon as possible. This approach helps to control the spread of the disease and reduce further damage to the body. Melanoma easily causes pigmentation of the skin and can lead to localized breakdown and bleeding. Generally, if the treatment is not timely, ulcers and satellite lesions may develop, thus having a greater impact.

Melanoma is also a disease that tends to metastasize easily. Patients may experience nausea, vomiting, affected appetite, weakness in the limbs, and it can also affect the liver, lungs, brain, and bones, causing symptoms including bone pain. Therefore, it is imperative to detect and treat this disease early to improve the body's healing rate.

Other Voices

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Written by He Da Wei
Dermatology
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Is melanoma flat or raised?

Melanoma generally is not flat, also known as malignant melanoma, which is a highly malignant cancer originating from melanocytes, commonly occurring in the skin. Men over the age of 60 are a high-risk group, with the most commonly affected areas being the lower limbs and feet, followed by the trunk, head and neck, or upper limbs. Symptoms mainly include rapidly growing melanotic nodules. Initially, normal skin becomes heavily pigmented, or pigmented moles darken and increase in pigment. The skin lesions continually enlarge and harden, accompanied by itching and pain. The lesions of melanoma may be raised, patchy, or nodular, and some may even resemble cauliflower.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
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Can melanoma without metastasis avoid chemotherapy?

For patients with melanoma that has not metastasized, direct surgical removal can be performed, and chemotherapy is not necessary after surgery. Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates from melanocytes and can occur in many parts of the body, with melanomas of the skin and mucous membranes being the most common, accounting for about 70% of all cases. Once melanoma is diagnosed, if there is no distant metastasis to other organs, curative surgical removal can be performed. Postoperative treatment mainly involves immunotherapy, not systemic chemotherapy. For patients who are diagnosed with distant organ metastasis, systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy are required.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo
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The significance of melanoma genetic testing

The significance of genetic testing for melanoma patients mainly involves two aspects: first, the identification of specific driver gene mutations to guide the application of targeted drugs; second, the detection of mutations in some common genes to judge the prognosis of the disease. Regarding the target gene mutations for drug selection, the commonly used ones include mutations in C-KIT, BRAF, and M-TOR. If mutations in these target genes are found, corresponding targeted drugs can be used for treatment. These drugs are generally orally administered, have relatively good efficacy, low side effects, and are suitable for the treatment of melanoma. Additionally, some genetic tests can predict the prognosis of melanoma patients based on the presence or absence of mutations.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
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Can melanoma be cured if it recurs?

In cases of recurrence, surgical treatment is still necessary, and it is best to choose a dermatology hospital with a good reputation for consultation. Follow the doctor's advice for treatment. Patients should pay more attention in their daily lives, avoid exposure to strong sunlight, and must quit smoking and drinking, as these can aggravate the condition. It is essential to eat more light meals and fruits, which are beneficial to the body.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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How long does it take for melanoma to develop?

The duration of melanoma development varies because melanoma is a type of skin cancer with a relatively high degree of malignancy. However, clinically, the types of melanoma are diverse, and the onset time generally correlates with the patient's clinical phenotype. For some superficial types of melanoma with low malignancy, it generally takes several years to develop. For highly malignant melanomas, the disease generally progresses rapidly within about six months to a year. Once melanoma progresses, it can affect multiple parts of the body and severely impact the patient's lifespan.