The initial stage of melanoma

Melanoma is a skin cancer that affects melanocytes, i.e. special cells responsible for pigmentation of the skin. This form of cancer develops very rapidly and gives rise to multiple metastases, so that mortality in melanoma is high.

The most effective way to maximize the chances of winning the fight against the disease is to diagnose melanoma at an early stage. The fact is that the disease goes through several stages, and the later stages are more difficult to treat. Therefore, knowing how melanoma manifests itself in the first stage can save a patient's life.

Symptoms of the initial stage of melanoma

The initial stage of melanoma does not have pronounced symptoms. As a rule, tissue damage begins at the site of the mole, so it is almost impossible to distinguish the neoplasm for some time. Accordingly, the size of melanoma at the initial stage is usually small, which also complicates diagnosis.

However, there are still characteristic symptoms of melanoma at an early stage.:

• the neoplasm has the appearance of a pigment spot;
• The staining is usually heterogeneous;
• the spot has an asymmetrical shape (whereas the shape of an ordinary mole is a regular circle);
• the surface of the neoplasm has a characteristic luster;
• there is no hair covering on the tumor;
• The size of the neoplasm is usually more than 5 mm.;
• A subcutaneous node may form under the spot;

Knowing the symptoms is necessary for a proper understanding of how to recognize melanoma at an early stage.

Diagnosis of melanoma

If these symptoms are detected, then there are serious suspicions that it is melanoma that is taking place. What the initial stage of the disease looks like is a question that determines further actions. If there is no specific nodular subcutaneous formation, it means that the disease will proceed slowly. If such a node is found, there is not a day to lose, since the nodular form of melanoma progresses very quickly. Another signal of increased tumor development is whether the melanoma is painful in the initial stage. Pain and itching are grounds for immediate medical attention.

To make the diagnosis of the initial stage of melanoma as accurate as possible, a complex of metols is used.:

• visual examination of the patient;
• dermatoscopy is a detailed examination of a neoplasm using a high–tech digital device called a dermatoscope.;
• blood test for cancer markers;
• A biopsy is the collection of a fragment of a neoplasm for laboratory analysis.

Treatment of melanoma at the initial stage and prognosis

This disease is an extremely serious form of oncology, so the question is natural – is melanoma treated at an early stage? The experience of doctors shows that yes, if you contact specialists in time, you can help the patient.

Whatever the specific form of melanoma, treatment in the early stages includes surgical removal of the neoplasm. The earlier the operation is performed, the more effective the results will be. To prevent recurrence of the disease and metastasis, a modern method of radiation therapy is used – the neoplasm is intensively exposed to ionizing radiation.

Early diagnosis and treatment of melanoma is thus the most effective way to combat the disease.