Is melanoma easy to get?

Written by Zhu Rui
Oncology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Melanoma is not easy to contract, with relatively low incidence and mortality rates. Melanoma is a tumor derived from the malignant transformation of melanocytes, highly malignant, often occurring in the skin but also in mucous membranes, the choroid of the eye, the pia mater, and other various parts and tissues. In the Chinese population, it commonly appears on the extremities of the skin, such as the sole of the foot, toes, fingertips, and under the nails. According to global cancer statistics from last year, melanoma accounts for 1.6% of all new cancer cases. In China, the incidence and mortality rates of cutaneous melanoma are relatively low, with about one case per 300,000 people. In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the incidence of melanoma, which needs to be monitored carefully.

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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.

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Is there a possibility of curing melanoma with lymphatic metastasis?

Melanoma is a type of skin tumor caused by the excessive growth of melanin cells. For melanoma that has spread to the lymph nodes, surgical treatment is recommended, along with adjunctive radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which can effectively control the spread and metastasis of cancer cells. Traditional Chinese medicine can also be used in conjunction, which not only controls the growth of cancer cells but also mitigates the damage to the body from radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After treatment, patients should pay attention to their diet, exercise moderately, and maintain a good physical condition.

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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.

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What are some good methods for treating widespread metastasis of melanoma?

Melanoma greatly torments patients, affecting their physical and mental health, and also unnecessarily harming their external appearance. However, treatment of this disease must be approached with caution. Surgical excision is recommended and is the first choice for the surgical treatment of melanoma. If diagnosed, surgery should be carried out promptly. The extent of excision depends on the type and location of the tumor. After excision, the resulting tissue defect is generally repaired using simple methods initially, followed by reconstructive surgery after confirming no recurrence.

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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.