How to diagnose melanoma

Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on November 23, 2024
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For the judgment of melanoma as a malignant tumor, it cannot solely rely on clinical experience. Instead, the skin lesion should undergo surgical excision. During the surgery, freezing can be scheduled, and the results of the freezing report will determine the scope of the surgery.

The final diagnosis still depends on the paraffin section. The diagnostic gold standard is based on the pathological results, and only a pathology examination can determine whether the lesion is a malignant melanoma. Diagnosing such diseases requires extreme caution due to their high malignancy and ease of metastasis, which can endanger life. Standardized surgical excision is necessary, supplemented by chemotherapy and other methods.

Other Voices

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Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
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Is laser treatment or surgical removal better for melanoma?

Regarding whether laser treatment or surgical excision is better for melanoma, the answer is clear: surgical excision is better. Melanoma originates from melanocytes and is not limited to one layer of the skin. Therefore, for melanoma of the skin, the infiltration depth can sometimes be profound, reaching the dermis layer. Laser treatment sometimes only covers a superficial depth, which cannot achieve complete removal. Surgical excision can completely remove deeper infiltrative parts of the melanoma, and after the excision, complete tissues can be obtained for pathological examination, which helps in staging after the surgery and guides treatment post-surgery. Laser treatment does not offer these benefits. Therefore, current guidelines recommend surgical excision for the treatment of melanoma and do not recommend laser treatment.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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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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Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
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How long does it take for melanoma to progress to the late stage?

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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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 Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
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Can melanoma be excised?

Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, generally appears on the skin or in areas such as mucous membranes and the choroid of the eye. It is the most malignant type of skin tumor and is prone to distant metastases. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in the initial stages of the disease. If a diagnosis of melanoma is confirmed at a formal hospital, it is recommended that patients undergo a complete excision biopsy of the lesion. If the lesion is too large to be removed, a superficial skin lesion theft or punch biopsy may also be considered.