The difference between melanoma and moles

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 08, 2024

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Melanoma and moles are distinguishable; firstly, moles are generally smaller, while melanomas have a larger diameter. Secondly, the color of a mole is more uniform, whereas the color of a melanoma is inconsistent in depth. Furthermore, moles are typically symmetric in shape, while melanomas are asymmetric. Lastly, melanoma is a type of malignant tumor, whereas a mole is simply a skin condition.

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Is laser treatment or surgical removal better for melanoma?

Regarding whether laser treatment or surgical excision is better for melanoma, the answer is clear: surgical excision is better. Melanoma originates from melanocytes and is not limited to one layer of the skin. Therefore, for melanoma of the skin, the infiltration depth can sometimes be profound, reaching the dermis layer. Laser treatment sometimes only covers a superficial depth, which cannot achieve complete removal. Surgical excision can completely remove deeper infiltrative parts of the melanoma, and after the excision, complete tissues can be obtained for pathological examination, which helps in staging after the surgery and guides treatment post-surgery. Laser treatment does not offer these benefits. Therefore, current guidelines recommend surgical excision for the treatment of melanoma and do not recommend laser treatment.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue

Medical Oncology

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Does melanoma develop quickly?

If melanoma is diagnosed, this disease must not be taken lightly. It is crucial to seek timely medical treatment and not miss the optimal treatment window, thus avoiding serious consequences. The progression of melanoma is very rapid, so once detected, it should be treated as soon as possible. This approach helps to control the spread of the disease and reduce further damage to the body. Melanoma easily causes pigmentation of the skin and can lead to localized breakdown and bleeding. Generally, if the treatment is not timely, ulcers and satellite lesions may develop, thus having a greater impact. Melanoma is also a disease that tends to metastasize easily. Patients may experience nausea, vomiting, affected appetite, weakness in the limbs, and it can also affect the liver, lungs, brain, and bones, causing symptoms including bone pain. Therefore, it is imperative to detect and treat this disease early to improve the body's healing rate.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue

Medical Oncology

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How long will melanoma become malignant?

Melanoma is a malignant tumor caused by melanocytes in the skin and human organs. Cutaneous melanoma generally manifests as pigmented lesions that often change over many years or in a short period of time. Because of this, the risk period for melanoma varies in length, and it is uncertain how long it will take for the disease to develop. Melanoma is a malignant tumor with poor survival rates, and it is prone to aggressive metastasis. If metastasis occurs, the lifespan of the patient will be significantly reduced.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

28sec

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The difference between melanoma and moles

Melanoma and moles are distinguishable; firstly, moles are generally smaller, while melanomas have a larger diameter. Secondly, the color of a mole is more uniform, whereas the color of a melanoma is inconsistent in depth. Furthermore, moles are typically symmetric in shape, while melanomas are asymmetric. Lastly, melanoma is a type of malignant tumor, whereas a mole is simply a skin condition.

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Written by Liu Jing

Dermatology

49sec

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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.