How long does it take for melanoma to develop?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on November 27, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Rui
Oncology
52sec home-news-image

Is melanoma easy to get?

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
49sec home-news-image

How to alleviate vomiting from melanoma

Melanoma is one of the malignant tumors, and if one contracts this disease, it is important to treat melanoma promptly as symptoms are not very pronounced in the early stages. In advanced stages, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may occur, possibly due to irritation of the stomach. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy can all have side effects. It is also possible that the melanoma has metastasized, causing a feeling of vomiting. It is recommended that patients take antiemetic medication to treat this, and in terms of diet, eat foods that are beneficial for the spleen and stomach, such as coix seed, yam, millet, red dates, and black fungus, all of which can help alleviate discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
30sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
33sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
30sec home-news-image

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.