Is melanoma a malignant tumor?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Melanoma is a type of malignant tumor with a relatively high degree of malignancy and a high chance of metastasis, leading to a high mortality rate in the later stages. Once diagnosed, it is imperative to undergo surgical removal at a recognized hospital's dermatology department, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Melanomas usually develop from common melanocytic nevi, so if such nevi appear on the body, they should be treated correctly. If small, they can be removed with laser treatment; if slightly larger, surgical removal is recommended. If localized melanocytic nevi cause pain, itching, oozing, or bleeding, these could be precursors to malignant transformation and should be taken seriously.

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Stage IV melanoma is what stage?

Melanoma stage IV is stage 4, where IV is the Roman numeral for 4. Stage IV melanoma means that the melanoma is no longer confined to the site of origin and has metastasized to distant organs. Melanoma commonly originates in the skin and mucous membranes, with the most common sites of metastasis being the lymph nodes and lungs. Once melanoma reaches stage 4, the opportunity for curative surgery is lost. Treatment primarily involves immunotherapy, targeted molecular therapy, etc., and is incurable.

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Can a melanoma heal by itself if it ruptures?

Melanoma cannot heal itself once it has ruptured. Melanoma is a type of malignant tumor, and if melanoma occurs, it is crucial to cooperate actively with the doctor to perform excision surgery. After the surgical removal, pathological examination must be carried out, and treatment should be sought promptly to avoid delaying the condition. If there is bleeding, ulceration, pain, or a significant increase in the size of skin pigmented moles, it is highly suspect for malignant transformation, and one should promptly visit a dermatology department at a formal hospital for examination. If malignant transformation is possible, it is critical to perform surgery early and conduct a pathological examination. The symptoms of melanoma are related to the age of onset; in younger patients, it usually presents as itching, changes in the color of the lesions, and expanding borders, while older patients typically exhibit noticeable ulceration of the lesions.

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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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Can melanoma be cured if it recurs?

In cases of recurrence, surgical treatment is still necessary, and it is best to choose a dermatology hospital with a good reputation for consultation. Follow the doctor's advice for treatment. Patients should pay more attention in their daily lives, avoid exposure to strong sunlight, and must quit smoking and drinking, as these can aggravate the condition. It is essential to eat more light meals and fruits, which are beneficial to the body.

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Is melanoma flat or raised?

Melanoma is generally raised and does not have a fixed shape. In the early stages of local growth, melanoma appears flat. As the tumor grows and proliferates, some protrusions may occur, but protrusions should not be equated with malignancy. If a previously flat mole suddenly becomes raised, one should be vigilant about the possibility of malignancy. However, a raised mole is not necessarily melanoma; there are some intradermal nevi or benign skin lesions, and other types of skin cancers can also manifest as raised changes. Therefore, if there are some melanocytic nevi on the skin that quickly develop symptoms such as ulceration, bleeding, pain, or itching, it is important to promptly visit a dermatology department at a standard hospital for an examination and, if necessary, surgical removal and pathological investigation.