How long does it take for melanoma to progress to the late stage?

Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
Updated on May 11, 2025
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The time for melanoma to progress to an advanced stage is not fixed, and currently, the internal oncology community views melanoma as a highly malignant tumor that develops rapidly. Melanoma is a malignant tumor originating from melanocytes and can occur in multiple parts of the body, with the most common sites being the skin and mucous membranes, accounting for about 70%. Once diagnosed, patients with melanoma are still primarily considered for surgical treatment. For those who have undergone surgery, immunotherapy can be used for consolidation. For patients who are not candidates for surgery at the time of diagnosis, systemic treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy are generally adopted to control the progression of the disease.

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Is it better for melanoma to have a BRAF mutation or not to have a BRAF mutation?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer with a very high malignancy. Before targeted drugs were available, patients with BRAF gene mutations indicated a poorer prognosis for melanoma. The mutation of the BRAF gene promotes the progression of melanoma. However, with the advancement of current clinical research, patients with melanoma having BRAF mutations have a better therapeutic effect with BRAF inhibitor targeted therapy. After adopting this targeted drug treatment, the cure rate has significantly increased, and the prognosis of patients has markedly improved. Therefore, patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma can benefit from targeted therapy.

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How to distinguish whether melanoma is benign or cancerous

Melanomas are always malignant; there are no benign melanomas. Benign lesions are called pigmented nevi, which are usually classified into three types: intradermal nevi, junctional nevi, and compound nevi. When a pigmented nevus becomes malignant, it is then referred to as melanoma. Therefore, in clinical practice, when we mention melanoma, we are referring to malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma is staged based on the degree of invasion and whether it has metastasized. Treatment methods vary depending on the stage, and there are differences in treatment approaches. Therefore, if a pigmented nevus visibly enlarges over a short period, and shows symptoms such as ulceration, bleeding, or pain, it is necessary to promptly visit a reputable hospital's dermatology department for surgical removal, followed by a pathological examination.

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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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Melanoma check what items

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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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.