Melanoma check what items

Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
Updated on November 30, 2024
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If patients suspect that they have melanoma, they must go to a qualified hospital for examination. The diagnosis of melanoma mainly relies on visual inspection of colored moles that vary in color and shape, which can be directly observed with the eye. Also, if previously existing moles have enlarged or changed shape recently, these are signs that we need to pay attention to. If patients are suspected of having melanoma after a diagnosis, it is recommended to perform a complete excisional biopsy of the lesion, followed by a pathological examination after the surgery.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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What is melanoma?

Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, originates from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. It is commonly found in individuals with fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue eyes, who are often prone to this type of disease, particularly in tropical regions where the condition is more prevalent. The incidence rate increases after the age of fifty, and the rate of occurrence between men and women within the same group is quite similar. In a minority of cases, melanoma can also occur in parts outside of the skin, such as the anus, rectum, esophagus, or inside the eyes. When the tumor is confined within the epidermis, referred to as in situ carcinoma, it can be cured through surgery. If there is metastasis, treatment may include immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or local radiotherapy.

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Written by Liu Gang
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Does melanoma need to be excised?

Melanoma is a type of malignant tumor, which mostly develops from common melanocytic nevi. Once diagnosed with this disease, surgical removal is necessary. After the surgery, a full-body examination is also required to check whether the tumor cells have metastasized. If there is metastasis, further radiotherapy or chemotherapy is needed. If melanocytic nevi appear on the body, it is crucial to handle them properly, ideally by using laser treatment or surgical removal when they are relatively small to prevent the later formation of melanoma. If the melanocytic nevi cause pain, itching, or oozing after scratching, it might be a precursor to malignancy, and formal treatment is necessary.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
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Is melanoma cancer?

Melanoma is generally a malignant tumor caused by melanin in the skin and other organs, which means melanoma is also known as cancer, and it is a very bad tumor. If there are hair follicles in this melanoma, then it is very likely that cancerous changes will occur. Patients should pay attention as the malignancy of the disease is extremely high, and they should seek timely medical examinations and treatment.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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What are the symptoms of subungual melanoma?

Subungual melanoma, clinically, displays different symptoms depending on the stage. In its early stages, subungual melanoma primarily manifests as changes in nail color, with some cases showing localized thickening of the nail. As the melanoma progresses, abnormal secretions such as bloody or serous fluids may appear under the nail, and the nail itself may become uneven. As the subungual melanoma invades surrounding tissues, symptoms such as swelling, pain, or bleeding in the localized fingernail may occur. In advanced stages, symptoms of metastatic sites, such as coughing, chest pain, and chest tightness from lung metastases, can also manifest.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo
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Melanoma stage IV is the fourth stage.

Melanoma stage IV refers to the fourth stage of melanoma, where IV represents the Roman numeral for 4. Stage IV melanoma means that the melanoma is no longer confined to the local lesion but has metastasized to distant organs. The most common locations for melanoma include the skin and mucous membranes, with typical metastatic sites including the lungs, brain, liver, etc. Once diagnosed as stage IV, there are no indications for surgical treatment. Treatment primarily involves a comprehensive approach combining chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.