Can melanoma without metastasis avoid chemotherapy?

Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
Updated on December 09, 2024
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For patients with melanoma that has not metastasized, direct surgical removal can be performed, and chemotherapy is not necessary after surgery. Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates from melanocytes and can occur in many parts of the body, with melanomas of the skin and mucous membranes being the most common, accounting for about 70% of all cases. Once melanoma is diagnosed, if there is no distant metastasis to other organs, curative surgical removal can be performed. Postoperative treatment mainly involves immunotherapy, not systemic chemotherapy. For patients who are diagnosed with distant organ metastasis, systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy are required.

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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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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.

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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.

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Is amputation useful for melanoma?

Melanoma is a very terrifying disease. Once melanoma develops on the limbs, there is a tendency to favor as extensive a surgery as possible. It seems that the larger the excision, the cleaner it becomes, which helps to prevent future recurrence and metastasis. Even undergoing amputation surgery doesn’t necessarily eliminate the risk of metastasis and recurrence. Sometimes, if the margins of the excision are not beyond the range, the risk still exists. Therefore, the extent of the excision should be determined based on the patient’s condition.

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Is melanoma a malignant tumor?

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.