Melanoma: prognosis and treatment
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of the skin and mucous membranes. It is formed from melanocyte cells, moles, and age spots. Gradually expanding, melanoma affects the epidermis and forms metastases in other organs. The main method of prevention is to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. You should also pay more attention to birthmarks. If their shape or color changes, consult a doctor immediately.
Types of melanoma and methods of its treatment
The prognosis of melanoma treatment directly depends on its type and degree of spread in the body. Medicine divides melanoma into:
- the surface,
- nodular,
- spotted melanoma of the extremities,
- melanoma at the site of malignant lentigo.
Superficial melanoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It occurs regardless of gender and age. Since the prognosis for the treatment of this type of melanoma depends on the degree of tumor spread, the treatment of superficial melanoma in the first and second stages is performed surgically — doctors remove the neoplasm from the skin surface. If it spreads to tissues and organs, radiation or chemotherapy is performed.
Nodular melanoma is an aggressive malignant skin disease. The Bstr extends to the internal organs. When doctors establish this diagnosis in patients, the question arises whether this type of melanoma can be cured. The main treatment for nodular melanoma is surgery. The neoplasm and nearby lymph nodes are completely removed. When melanoma grows deep into the epidermis, treatment is supplemented with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Spotted limb melanoma is a disease that is very rare and mainly occurs in the elderly. The disease is treated surgically, but if the patient's age does not allow surgery, a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is used.
Lentigo is an ailment that is considered precancerous and requires immediate treatment. The neoplasm and the nearby skin are surgically removed. If the cancer has penetrated into the lower layers of the epidermis, after surgery, the patient is prescribed a course of close-focus radiotherapy.
New methods in the treatment of melanoma
Modern medicine conducts a lot of research to develop effective and safe treatment methods and improve existing ones. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy methods are new in the treatment of melanoma. Immunotherapy enhances the effect of the main treatment and prevents the occurrence of relapses. Targeted therapy specifically destroys malignant cells without damaging healthy organs and tissues and promotes remission.
People who have been cured of melanoma need further medical supervision of the operated skin area and periodic examination.
Understanding the difference in the level of medical development in the world, the question arises, where is the best place to treat melanoma? New technologies, drugs, and treatment methods are being introduced faster abroad. Foreign cancer centers have modern immunotherapy drugs and new technologies.
