Diagnosis of melanoma

Melanoma or skin cancer is an oncological disease that develops in people regardless of gender and age. The disease arises from melanocyte cells, moles and birthmarks. Melanoma can affect not only the skin, but also the internal organs. The result of the treatment of the disease depends on the timely diagnosis, since in the early stages melanoma is successfully amenable to therapy.

Methods of diagnosis of melanoma

When diagnosing melanoma on the skin, the doctor examines moles and birthmarks using a magnifying glass. Computed tomography and isotope scanning with radioactive phosphorus are used to determine the exact diagnosis. After the tumor is removed, it is sent for a biopsy. It allows you to confirm or deny the malignancy of a neoplasm and determine the type of cancer cells that it consists of.

The achievements of modern medicine in the field of cancer diagnosis are very effective. One of the newest methods of examination is the diagnosis of melanoma by blood analysis and molecular diagnostics. The patient donates blood to determine the presence and concentration of a protein produced by melanoma cells, the S—100 cancer marker.Molecular diagnostics is performed by analyzing the tissue of the lymph nodes and can identify one diseased cell among millions of healthy ones.

Melanoma is treated in a complex manner using surgical methods, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Which doctor should I contact to diagnose melanoma

When suspicious moles are found on the body, the question arises: which doctor diagnoses melanoma? It should be noted that the patient should undergo an initial examination with a therapist, since he will be able to assess the person's state of health at the moment and refer him to another specialist. After consulting a therapist, the patient goes to a dermatologist, the doctor will examine the moles and will be able to tell exactly which ones should be removed.