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Melanoma
How long does it take for melanoma to develop?
The duration of melanoma development varies because melanoma is a type of skin cancer with a relatively high degree of malignancy. However, clinically, the types of melanoma are diverse, and the onset time generally correlates with the patient's clinical phenotype. For some superficial types of melanoma with low malignancy, it generally takes several years to develop. For highly malignant melanomas, the disease generally progresses rapidly within about six months to a year. Once melanoma progresses, it can affect multiple parts of the body and severely impact the patient's lifespan.
Melanoma CT manifestations
The CT manifestations of melanoma vary depending on the location of the tumor. Generally, melanomas that occur on the skin can appear on CT scans as mass-like lesions, and the scans can show whether there are any urgent conditions involving the surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and tissues. Some patients may only show CT imaging changes such as localized thickening of the skin. In melanomas that occur inside the skull or in the vulva, the CT mainly shows localized mass-like lesions. These lesions are typically low-density foci with poor blood supply around them, and they generally have an irregular shape.
How to diagnose melanoma
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.
The significance of melanoma genetic testing
The significance of genetic testing for melanoma patients mainly involves two aspects: first, the identification of specific driver gene mutations to guide the application of targeted drugs; second, the detection of mutations in some common genes to judge the prognosis of the disease. Regarding the target gene mutations for drug selection, the commonly used ones include mutations in C-KIT, BRAF, and M-TOR. If mutations in these target genes are found, corresponding targeted drugs can be used for treatment. These drugs are generally orally administered, have relatively good efficacy, low side effects, and are suitable for the treatment of melanoma. Additionally, some genetic tests can predict the prognosis of melanoma patients based on the presence or absence of mutations.
Melanoma originates from which tissue?
Melanoma does not originate from any specific tissue, but from melanocytes. Therefore, melanoma can occur in any tissue where melanocytes are present. The most common sites for melanoma are the skin and mucous membranes. Additionally, because melanocytes are widely present throughout the body, melanoma can also occur in hollow organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, in skeletal muscles, and in the nervous system. Once diagnosed, melanoma needs to be treated promptly. The main treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Melanoma cancer symptoms
Once melanoma begins to transform cancerously, the tumor will gradually grow larger, and the melanocytic nevi on the skin will also exhibit unusual phenomena. If various colors or a deepening of color appears in the melanin on a patient's body, it might indicate the onset of malignant changes. If a patient develops melanoma, it is advisable for them to seek medical attention promptly for surgical treatment, as this can help prevent the progression to cancer.
Melanoma is divided into several types.
Melanoma is a type of malignant tumor with a relatively high level of malignancy. The exact causes of melanoma are not very clear but may be related to multiple factors including genetics, irritation, viral infection, and immunity. Generally, there are four types of melanoma: nodular melanoma, superficial spreading melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma, and lentigo maligna melanoma. Once melanoma occurs, it is crucial to seek prompt medical diagnosis and treatment.
Melanoma lymphatic metastasis symptoms
If melanoma has metastasized to the lymph nodes, it can cause lymph node enlargement. At the same time, patients with melanoma may also experience persistent fever, leading to a decrease in the body's resistance and a drop in the level of blood cells. In such cases, it is recommended to undergo a detailed examination. If metastasis is detected, surgical treatment is advised, or consider using methods such as radiation therapy for treatment.
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.
How long does it take for melanoma to develop from early stage to advanced stage?
From what we observe now, in the early stages of illness, melanomas are typically found on the extremities such as hands, feet, the underside of feet, under fingernails, and particularly on the big toe. Initially, they might appear simply as a black spot or a lesion. About two to three years later, there might be swelling at the site of the lesion or black spot. Then, within another five to six months, it may ulcerate, indicating that the condition has worsened.