How to detect melanoma?

Contents:

• Certain types of melanoma
• How to identify melanoma at an early stage
• What to do with dangerous mole?
• Measures for the prevention of this disease

Melanoma (skin cancer) - a malignant tumor. In most cases, skin cancer manifests itself against the background of pigment nevus (single pigment spots). In very rare cases, melanoma can develop and clean the skin. Melanoma skin can look different from moles, slightly protruding above the surface of the skin, uneven color bleeding to tumor formation.

Among all skin tumors in the melanoma share of 13%. The disease most often affects people quite young (15-40 years). Approximately half of the patients die regardless of whether an anti-tumor therapy. This happens due to the fact that patients go to the doctor too late, often at the stage of metastasis. This type of skin cancer metastasizes very quickly.

That's why doctors attach great importance to the prevention and early detection of melanoma.

Early detection of skin cancer symptoms and timely diagnosis is very important: early treatment is a fairly easy operation.

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Certain types of melanoma

Doctors are several types of malignant tumors.

• Surface melanoma - one of the most common types of skin cancer. It is in the upper layers of the skin and its surface is only slightly above the surface of healthy skin. This is not easy to distinguish melanoma from an ordinary mole.
• Nodular melanoma. This species occurs in 25% of patients with this disease. This is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It is a dark-colored nodules of various sizes, which is very appreciably raised above the skin surface.
• Melanoma is lentigines on the neck and head elderly. The surface of this type of tumor is not very much elevated above the surface of the skin.
• Subungual melanoma occurs in every tenth case. Often, a malignant tumor located under the big toe nail.

What are the reasons can cause melanoma skin?

• Long exposure to ultraviolet radiation (tanning, solarium).
• Radioactive radiation.
• Prolonged heat exposure.
• Frequent contact with arsenic, tar, soot, tar.

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How to identify melanoma at an early stage

• Changing the size of a mole - rapid growth - the most common symptom. Especially should pay attention to moles larger than 7 mm in diameter. When a new mole appears and begins to grow rapidly or suddenly begins to grow old mole, it is an alarming symptom.
• Change the shape and color of a nevus, a change in the contour line of the old mole - a very dangerous symptoms. Especially suspicious dark brown and black moles. Uneven color of a mole should also be alerted.
• The disappearance of hair nevus. Hair growing out of a mole, a sign of its good quality. If your hair starts to fall out of it, it may indicate a malignant nevus.
• The emergence of itching in the region of the mole or other unpleasant sensations.
• Bleeding, moist discharge from the moles and the appearance of the inflammatory area on the edge of the pigment formation.

Diagnosing melanoma, it is important to keep in mind that men often this tumor is on the back, while the women in the lower leg. Despite this, check the whole body, including the scalp and nails on the hands and feet (the case that it has the form of malignancy black spot under the nail).

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What to do with dangerous mole?

If you find a mole that correspond to at least one and especially more of the above symptoms, you should immediately consult a dermatologist. Dangerous moles to be removed and subsequent histological examination. It would be better if you get rid of moles, which are located in places of permanent trauma (eg, bra strap, waistband, and so on. D.). Since moles damage often leads to their transformation into a tumor.
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Measures for the prevention of this disease

You are at risk if in the past often sunburn. Ultraviolet radiation - it is one of the main factors in the development of this cancer. Therefore, when a large number of moles on the body of sunbathing on the beach and tanning should be avoided. If sun exposure can not be prevented, protect exposed skin from direct sunlight with the help of clothes and sunscreen.

It is necessary to explore all the main features of diseases and be sure to consult with your doctor if you are at risk. Make sure that you know well, it looks like melanoma and how it differs from a simple healthy moles. Carry out regular inspection of the entire surface of the skin. The skin of the head and back should check your friend or relative.

Treatment of skin cancer and its effectiveness depends on what stage of development you see your doctor. The sooner this is done, the greater the chance of an absolute recovery. When the diagnosis of skin cancer is performed surgical removal of a malignant tumor. Typically, surgery is not dangerous for the patient and the absence of metastases leads to a full recovery.