How moles degenerate into malignant ones. Why are malignant moles dangerous? With jagged edges

It's rare to see a person without small dark marks on their body. Is it worth paying attention to these points? Only a doctor will distinguish between dangerous and non-dangerous moles - malignant melanoma or harmless nevus - and give recommendations on what to do with them. Should I worry about the appearance of new formations when required? immediate appeal to specialists, what are the signs of cancer development - the answers to these questions remain to be found out. No one is safe from trouble, but early diagnosis will protect you from severe consequences.

What is a mole

The first tiny spots may appear in children in infancy. A mole is a small formation on the skin - a nevus - that is considered benign and harmless. The basis for their appearance is melanocyte cells that accumulate the natural pigment melanin. Depending on its quantity, a difference in color is observed. Available colors:

red;
black;
pink;
brown;
blue.

The shape of the tumors depends on the location and concentration of melanin. They may have a stalk or be located under the skin, be flat and convex. The most common type is round, but there are exceptions. The development of neoplasms provokes ultraviolet radiation– natural from the sun, in a solarium. Not excluded hereditary factors. Common reason education – hormonal imbalance, characteristic of the periods:

puberty;
pregnancy;
menopause.

What types of moles are there?

One person may discover very different tumors. Types of moles are classified according to several criteria. This helps in correct diagnosis in case of changes. They differ in:

origin – congenital, newly acquired;
structure – pigmented, vascular;
place of formation - in depth, on the surface, in the boundary layer;
raised above the skin - flat - even, protruding as a hemisphere, on a stalk, birthmarks bigger size;
potential threats - dangerous, degenerating into melanoma, non-dangerous.

Safe moles

Those who have dark spots on their skin should be attentive to their changes. In time, detected signs of degeneration into melanoma contribute to the timely removal of the formation and preservation of health. Without dangerous moles differ:

the presence of a stalk – it cannot be formed by malignant cells that grow randomly;
long-term condition without changes.

Not counted dangerous stains, appearing soon after birth. It is important that they are small in size. Good – non-dangerous – signs of neoplasms include:

flesh tone;
unchanged pattern of the skin of the nevus and adjacent tissues;
soft consistency;
hair on the surface of the neoplasm - growing from the skin, indicates the absence of pathologies;
diameter no more than 5 mm;
symmetry;
nevus in the form of a spot.

Which moles are dangerous?

Why do people with nevi on their bodies need to monitor their changes? There is always a threat of degeneration of non-dangerous tumors into a cancerous tumor. What moles are dangerous to health? Key signs you need to know:

change in shades dark side, the appearance of multicolor;
rapid increase in size - exceeds two millimeters per year;
occurrence of cracks;
the formation of asymmetry due to uneven growth;
lack of elasticity;
the appearance of itching, burning;
presence of discomfort.

The appearance of dangerous moles requires an immediate visit to a specialist to clarify the nature of the changes and the likelihood of developing skin cancer. Pathological transformations provoke:

injury to the nevus due to negligence;
self-removal;
abuse of exposure to the sun, use of a solarium;
location of the formation in places of frequent contact with clothing - on the neck, head, genitals;
placement in the hair, on the face, palms - where available Great chance getting injured;
previously removed melanoma.

Why are moles dangerous?

From sudden cell proliferation harmless mole no one is protected. Melanoma is extremely serious illness. Changes not detected at the initial stage can result in death. The provoking factor is unsuccessful independent removal of tumors. Moles are dangerous because of their ability to:

go into atypical - precancerous form;
grow to large sizes;
turn into cancerous;
for small external changes actively spread metastases throughout the body through the circulatory and lymphatic channels.

How quickly does melanoma develop from a mole?

The transformation of a nevus into a cancerous formation can occur in different ways. The process depends on the stage of the disease and the type of tumor. Instant metastases are dangerous. Begins:

growth of cancer cells into the deep layers of the epidermis;
their entry into the blood and lymph;
penetration into the lungs, liver, kidneys;
growth in these organs;
complete damage to the body;
death.

The growth phases of pigment cells are observed, along which melanoma develops from a mole. There are types:

horizontal - damage occurs upper layers skin, lasting up to 10 years, metastases do not appear;
vertical – accompanied by the spread of cancer cells throughout the organs, can last two years, has an unfavorable prognosis;
nodular - especially dangerous - characterized by deep spread within two months.

The first signs of melanoma

The patient can only be helped once changes have begun to be identified. Conducted diagnostics, research, referral for treatment operational way save a person's life. The first signs of melanoma:

increase in the height of the tumor;
bleeding;
the appearance of discharge;
redness;
burning, itching;
swelling of tissues;
softening of the nevus;
the appearance of a crust;
thickening;
hair loss;
expansion of pigmentation around the lesion.

At further development dangerous melanoma are observed:

significant change in size;
the appearance of pain;
enlarged lymph nodes;
surface ulceration;
formation of new foci;
bleeding from places of pigmentation;
liquid separation;
skin thickening;
the appearance of an earthy tint;
signs of metastases – chronic cough, weight loss, cramps, headaches.

How to distinguish a mole from melanoma

To recognize which moles are dangerous and which are not dangerous, you need to know what they look like. A person with nevi to rule out dire consequences, must constantly monitor the emergence of new formations and changes occurring. You can distinguish a mole from melanoma by its signs. Non-dangerous neoplasm:

symmetrical;
with smooth edges;
uniform in color;
with dimensions not exceeding 6 millimeters.

Features of dangerous melanoma that require seeking help from dermatologists:

growth over short term;
pronounced asymmetry of shape;
heterogeneity in color - the presence of inclusions of several shades;
lack of clear boundaries - the contour line is blurred, jagged, and looks like a shore on geographical map;
increased diameter over six millimeters;
variability of any parameters - color, size, shape.

What dangerous moles look like

What do nevi look like when exposed to pathological changes? Only a doctor can correctly distinguish between non-dangerous tumors. Dangerous formations look like this:

blue – seals under the skin with clear boundaries, with dimensions no more than 10 mm;
nodal – round, flat in shape, color – brown, black;
skin – often pale, convex;
halo nevus - pigment surrounded by a white ring;
Spitz - looks like a dome-shaped tumor of pink shades, with the possible presence of a hole through which blood and fluid leaks;
connective - connect individual formations into a whole.

Mole with jagged edges

One of the signs of a non-hazardous formation turning into a dangerous one is a change in contours. It often has blurred edges and scalloped borders. Eat non-hazardous species nevi – dysplastic. Correct diagnosis Only a specialist can do it. A mole with uneven edges can be dangerous if additional signs melanoma development:

accelerated changes in size;
the presence of clearly defined asymmetry;
the appearance of highly indented boundaries.

Rough mole

Such a neoplasm is harmless if its diameter is no more than 5 mm and remains constant in size. Often its appearance signals a lack of vitamins and nutritional disorders. Doctors advise coming for a consultation if it is discovered that:

the smooth nevus turned into a rough one;
bothered by burning, itching, tingling;
irregularities and compactions appeared in the middle;
areas with different shades formed;
diameter has increased significantly.

A dangerous rough mole requires immediate examination if:

the appearance of bleeding;
development inflammatory process;
rapid change in size;
formation of asymmetry;
education purulent discharge;
emergence painful sensations when touched;
origin irregular shape, blurred boundaries, along the edges of the neoplasm.

Large moles

Skin formations big size – dark spots. When they remain unchanged and do not cause inconvenience, this is not a dangerous phenomenon. It is important to constantly monitor their appearance, color, and size. To eliminate worries, you need to consult a dermatologist. During the visit, the specialist will conduct a diagnosis and give a forecast of the risk of developing malignant neoplasm. Large moles become dangerous if they:

injured;
thickened;
started to itch;
were unsuccessfully removed independently;
changed in size, shape;
are bleeding.

What moles can be removed

Often nevi cause trouble for women when they are in a visible place - the face, neck. Even if they don't bother you, using removal will the right decision – appearance will improve significantly. After the procedure, the doctor must send the tissue for histological analysis to decide whether the mole is malignant or not. If the neoplasm is not dangerous, does not bother you, and does not change in size, surgery is not required. Which moles cannot be removed? Experts believe:

there are no contraindications;
It is important to choose the right excision technique.

You should be careful about skin growths; it is unacceptable to remove them yourself. Only the doctor will determine whether a nevus is dangerous or not and decide what to do with it. You can delete it if:

are injured from clothing - on the neck, in groin area, armpits;
cause pain when touched;
are located under the hair on the head and can be damaged when combing or cutting;
change color, shape, outline;
significantly increase in size;
characterized by the presence of burning, itching;
accompanied by inflammation and bleeding.

Photos of dangerous moles

Video: How to recognize melanoma

Birthmarks can be found on the body of almost any person. There was always close attention and interest in them. Now their popularity has waned, but any formation on the skin should not be ignored. What kinds of moles there are, how they can be dangerous, whether you need to see a doctor and in what cases, we will consider in this article.

In medicine, a mole on the body is called a nevus. It is understood as a congenital or acquired transformation of the skin, expressed in the growth or change in color of its individual areas. Congenital formation can be seen only several months after birth. Acquired moles are often associated with hormonal imbalances, skin injuries and ultraviolet radiation.

Types of moles and their descriptions

The types of moles are determined based on their color, shape and size. In shape, the neoplasm can appear flat, oblong, round, smooth or with a rough structure. The skin of a mole can be light brown, have all shades of the red spectrum, black and even purple, which directly depends on the color type of a particular person. Its minimum size is usually 1 mm, and its maximum is difficult to predict; sometimes it covers a significant area.

Depending on the danger, moles are of the following types:

1. Nevus is benign neoplasm. It does not cause discomfort, its shape has clear outlines, and does not change its original color. Most moles belong to this type.

2. Basal cell carcinoma is represented by a type precancerous condition birthmark.

3. Melanoma. Everyone has this name in medicine. malignant moles. To identify it, a thorough examination by an oncodermatologist and diagnostics are necessary.

IN medical literature Often there are structural types of moles and photos with descriptions. Let's look at them in more detail. The pigmented neoplasm is smooth to the touch, sometimes it can have a rough appearance due to a small hairline. The color is usually dark.

Vascular moles are different various shades red because their structure includes vessels circulatory system, have a convex appearance. Latest variety structural classification– warty moles. They are similar in appearance and color to ordinary warts. The difference lies in the nature of occurrence. Warts are basically viral nature. The skin of women is more susceptible to the appearance of warty nevus on it than that of men. About 10% of them may carry a risk of developing cancer.

Let's consider a description of all types depending on the diagnoses made by dermatologists.

Lentigines are classified as borderline formations. They are small in shape and size, resembling freckles. Distinctive feature is a darker and more saturated shade.
The epidermal-demal type is most often located in intimate area, on the palms and soles. The color may vary (from flesh-colored to bright black).
Sutton's nevi. The skin around the mole does not contain pigment than this variety easily distinguished from other education. Also, such a mole on the body can disappear on its own, and after a while appear again.
Dysplastic moles select the body of a mature person after 35 years of age and are hereditary in nature. They are often located on closed sunlight parts of the body. The diameter can reach 12 mm.
Nevi are blue in color. Their color varies from light blue to deep blue. The most dangerous moles of this type are cellular nevi.
Pigmented giant nevus is innate. Considering that this neoplasm grows with a person, it sometimes has an impressive size. Characterized by a flat shape.

The human body can contain several types of nevi at the same time. Many of them are harmless, but in order to notice malignant moles in time, you should treat them carefully.

How to recognize them?

A safe mole on the skin should have a clear contour with smooth edges, uniform color and its diameter should not exceed 0.5 cm. There are certain risk factors, the presence of which in a person increases the risk of a simple mole transforming into melanoma. These include:

Light skin with freckles.
Frequent sunburn.
Men, especially older ones.
Relatives who have a history of malignant moles.
If a person’s body is practically covered with moles.

A great danger lies in the presence of moles such as blue and borderline nevus.

In order to notice dangerous moles in time, you should carefully and independently examine the body for changes. The one suggested by oncodermatologists will help eliminate the danger. simple formula for self-diagnosis - AKORD. This abbreviation includes all the main signs of a malignant formation: asymmetry, edges, color, size and dynamics.

A harmless mole will have symmetrical halves if an imaginary line is drawn along its center. For greater clarity, use a ruler. The appearance of a malignant mole does not have clear boundaries, the edges are blurred. Her color is distributed unevenly. If, after examining the body, you find similar moles, then you should track their dynamics. This type of education changes frequently. You can measure its size; if after a few days the nevus has increased, then this is danger sign. The detection of a mole with a diameter of more than 6 mm should also alert you.

The signs considered are considered the most important, but there are also secondary ones, which can also indicate a dangerous type of birthmark. These include:

The presence of inflammation, in which the skin around the mole becomes reddish and painful.
Bleeding, wetness, or crusting appears. Also, such a formation may become covered with small ulcers.
The mole increases not in width, but in length.
The skin of the mole is covered with satellites (multiple pink dots).
Detection of the “leg” of the nevus. The nodular variety of moles is usually found on the head, back, neck and limbs.
Change in the matte surface of the birthmark and the appearance of a slight shine.

An external examination provides only tentative conclusions. Only an oncodermatologist can determine an accurate diagnosis by performing a biopsy.

Cases when specialist consultation is necessary

You should know that detection of melanoma on early stage increases the likelihood complete cure. Detection of any change, even the most insignificant, is a reason to visit a specialist’s office for a more complete examination. If a mole on the face begins to bleed, itching appears and is constantly increasing, then this is an extremely unfavorable signal. The situation may worsen if you begin to feel pulsation in the birthmark. Perhaps the mole is a type of blue nevus, which quite often changes into melanoma.

The moles have increased in size so much that they begin to cause discomfort and pain when they come into contact with clothing. Sometimes the pain is temporary, but don't let your body deceive you. After a while everything unpleasant symptoms will return again, but now they will become stronger.

Light skin, which has numerous birthmarks, requires a more careful and serious attitude. There are frequent cases fatal outcome with late detection of melanoma. Its danger lies in the fact that metastases occur almost immediately, affecting internal organs.

Now modern diagnostics includes completely safe and painless techniques (biopsy, x-ray, CT scan And lab tests). The largest birthmarks should be removed to eliminate the risk of developing cancer. On this moment their removal occurs surgically using radiation therapy.

The meaning of moles depending on their location on the body

At many times, people tried to unravel the reason for this or that location of birthmarks. A body with moles may well suggest the answer to any question, if you can correctly interpret the meaning of their location.

1. A mole on a man’s face will help determine his suitability for family life. If you find a birthmark in the corner of your left eye, then this indicates a jealous character. But a man with a nevus near his right eye will turn out to be a wonderful family man. Finding it in the center of the forehead will tell about love and frivolity. ABOUT high level intelligence declares a nevus on the eyelid.

2. Skin on the back with moles will indicate a grouchy, but honest and open character. Nevi on the legs will indicate indecision. However, if they are found on the feet, then their meaning is associated with travel.

3. A woman who has a body or face with moles is also able to see some meaning in them. The location near the lips often reveals a passionate nature, the skin of the cheeks indicates hot temper, but easy reconciliation. The owner of a mole between the eyebrows is endowed with good intuition and intelligence.

4. Having thoroughly examined her own body, a woman can even find out how many children she will have. Count the moles on your waist, their number will be the answer. Skin on the shoulders and arms with birthmarks indicates good luck, success and happy life.

5. The meaning of a nevus depends not only on the part of the body where it is located, but also on the shape and type. For example, there is an opinion that triangle-shaped moles can only be found in a person with strong energy and psychic abilities. According to another version, the skin of indigo people often has this sign. If this type of mole is on inside palms, this indicates success in activities related to communication. Finding it on your head promises a successful scientific career.

In conclusion, it should be recalled preventive measures, which will significantly reduce the risk of a mole degenerating into malignant tumor. You should not injure birthmarks; if they are located in a place that is constantly in contact with clothing, it is better to remove such a nevus. When showering, use soft sponges.

Never remove moles that have a nodule or a “leg” yourself, even if it seems to you that the nodule is very thin. Protect your skin, especially with big amount moles, from straight ones sun rays. Should also be excluded frequent visit solarium. According to the results of studies conducted in California, it turned out that on average 5-10 years pass from the first visit to a solarium by people at risk until the discovery of melanoma.

Remember that monitoring your birthmarks and regular thorough self-diagnosis will help you avoid serious problems with health. Let moles become for their owner only a symbol of aesthetic beauty.

Malignant moles are identified by symmetry, diameter, texture, color and other characteristics. They come in several types: borderline blue, giant, Oto, Dubreuil's melanosis.

Moles oncology

The photo shows a type of mole - melanoma

Moles (birthmarks) are pigmented formations on the skin, which can be congenital or acquired, and have different colors (black, purple, red, brown). They are often called nevi. They also differ in whether they are convex or flat, with a hairy or smooth surface. Formations appear on any part of the body and come in various sizes.

By themselves, such growths do not cause danger to the human body, but under the influence of certain negative factors can degenerate into malignant formations, which are called melanoma-dangerous.

Dangerous moles - signs

To determine cancerous moles and recognize them among benign formations, held visual diagnostics according to the following characteristics:

symmetry – non-hazardous formations are symmetrical, that is, when a line is visually drawn through them, both sides correspond to each other (if asymmetry is observed, it is recommended to urgently consult a specialist);
clear boundaries - a normal formation has smooth edges, clearly defined boundaries, in contrast to a low-quality one;
color – many formations that do not lead to negative consequences, have one shade, but dangerous ones have a different shade;
diameter - usually large or sharply increasing moles are harmful to health;
change in texture and blurring - if the growths are normal (not cancerous), they do not change texture or blur over time.

It is important to carefully observe dark and colorless (white) formations on your body and pay attention to how they look. If they begin to change, this is a reason to consult a doctor. It should also be remembered that not all cancers behave the same, which complicates diagnosis.

Types of dangerous neoplasms with descriptions

There are five types of dangerous nevi:

People at risk

Rebirth ordinary formations Certain factors contribute to malignancy. These include prolonged exposure to the sun, genetic predisposition, and injury.

Towards education malignant tumors on the skin are predisposed the following groups of people:

with a large number of moles (more than fifty) - it is advisable for such people to avoid the sun or limit the time spent under its rays; it is recommended to use an umbrella for this purpose, wear closed clothes, hats;
with snow-white skin and naturally bright red hair;
in old age - as research results show, people old age more often suffer from skin cancers than young people, and their treatment is complicated by the presence of concomitant chronic diseases;
during pregnancy;
with a lot of freckles – people who have a lot of freckles on their body are more likely to develop skin cancers.

For reasons unknown to science, melanoma is diagnosed more often in men than in women.

Diagnostic methods

Define dangerous formation on the skin on your own it is possible, but difficult. Therefore, it is important to contact a dermatologist, who, after an examination, will give a referral to another specialist if he considers it necessary (to an oncologist or a surgeon).

Photo various types moles

The diagnostic examination of moles is called dermatoscopy. It doesn't hurt and doesn't take much time. To carry out the procedure, a special device called a dermatoscope is used. First, the doctor applies a gel to the patient's skin, which will eliminate possible visual interference (for example, light refraction). After this it is carried out visual inspection. If necessary, macro photography and additional studies of the resulting images are performed. The diagnosis is established with an accuracy of up to 97%.

Removing formations

Indications for eliminating dangerous formations:

identified cancer cells;
constant injuries, as a result of which the mole becomes deformed, it bleeds, hurts, and causes discomfort;
large size of the formation and unaesthetic appearance.

Unfortunately, many patients do not turn to specialists in a timely manner.

The following methods of getting rid of moles are known:

laser therapy;
cryodestruction;
electrocoagulation;
radio wave method;
surgical method.

Used in laser therapy local anesthesia. The procedure is performed using a laser. The advantage of this method is the simultaneous coagulation blood vessels. This means that laser therapy is especially suitable for bleeding lesions.

Cryodestruction is the elimination of formations using a mixture liquid nitrogen low temperature or carbonic acid. The procedure is also performed under local anesthesia. The disadvantage of cryodestruction is the lack of precise control over the depth of exposure to nitrogen or acid, as well as difficulties in collecting histological material for subsequent analysis. This procedure leaves scars on the skin.

What dangerous moles look like in the photo

During electrocoagulation, the tumor is burned out using an electric knife. Currently, this procedure is used quite rarely, since after it there is a high probability of scarring.

The radio wave method belongs to hardware method removal of formations. Most often it is used to get rid of moles small size. First, local anesthesia is administered, then the formation is irradiated. radio wave apparatus. After this procedure, a wound remains.

In case of strong growth of melanoma or the presence of large formations, the surgical method is used. As a rule, a flap of skin is also removed at the same time. Its depth and dimensions depend on the dimensions of the formation itself. The wound is stitched and the stitches are removed after a week. Local or general anesthesia is used for the operation.

In order not to miss the moment and recognize dangerous symptoms When the growth on the skin begins to degenerate and cause harm to the body, it is important to conduct a thorough examination of your own body every two months. Need to Special attention pay attention to new formations that have arisen recently, as well as changes in old ones. To do this, it is advisable to use a magnifying glass, ruler and other objects that help you take measurements more accurately. You cannot remove any formations yourself, as this is fraught with negative consequences.

Every Tuesday, AiF Health explains what signs may indicate that it’s time for you to see a doctor. This week we tell you why moles are dangerous, how to notice the first signs of a mole degenerating intomalignant skin tumor and which specialist to contact for help.

Many people do not pay attention to this “rebirth” and think that their body is still just a harmless spot. Meanwhile, early diagnosis helps defeat the disease.

Is it time to sound the alarm?

Moles, or, speaking scientific language, - nevi, are present on the body of every person. It is believed that the bulk of them, up to 90%, appear by the age of 25. But they can also arise later - under the influence of various events. For example, a typical phenomenon is when they literally break out during pregnancy. Sometimes moles, on the contrary, disappear over time. They can be yellow, brown, black. This is all within normal limits and there is nothing to worry about.

But it happens that a mole begins to grow unevenly or changes color, its surface becomes “polished” or it begins to bleed - that is, changes occur in it. Another option is to appear new mole unusual appearance. It is precisely such incomprehensible neoplasms that require close attention.

When the sun is the enemy

Probably everyone already knows that a chocolate tan has little to do with health. Ultraviolet light causes DNA damage and is... The more time a person spends exposing his body to the rays, the higher the likelihood of unpleasant consequences. The activity of the sun is also important. It is no coincidence that dermatologists strongly advise not to be on the beach between 11 and 16 hours of the day, when it is most aggressive.

A (asymmetry) - asymmetry. The mole grows unevenly to the side. Normally, if you draw an imaginary straight line through the middle of the mole, the halves will be symmetrical.

B (border irregularity) - uneven edge. It may be jagged and unclear, and this is one of the signs of melanoma. Normally, a mole has smooth edges.

C (color) - color. Its heterogeneity, interspersed with black, red, and gray shades should alert you. Normally, the mole is entirely one color.

D (diameter) - diameter. If the mole is more than 6 mm in diameter (about the size of an eraser on the tip of a pencil), it requires the attention of a specialist.

E (evolving) - variability. This refers to the variability of any characteristic: color, shape, size - all this is a reason to visit a dermatologist. Normally, moles remain unchanged throughout your life.

Everyone, without exception, should examine their moles more or less regularly, but there is a category of people who need to triple their attention to them. These are primarily those whose relatives suffered from melanoma or other oncological diseases, and those who have already had suspicious moles removed.

Besides, increased risk have owners blonde hair and light skin.

In the presence of alarming symptoms the doctor may prescribe a dermatoscopy and even make an individual photograph of the moles. The device photographs them and then special program creates a diagram of their location on the body.

When a person comes to the doctor next time, it will be possible to compare the “maps” from a year ago and the current one: are there any new formations, changes in the old ones. Dermatologists are confident that these cards are excellent.

Last Tuesday, AiF Health told

It is on the body of every person. Most often they are benign and do not pose any danger.

But under the influence pathological factors nevi can degenerate into a malignant tumor - melanoma. It is one of the fastest growing tumors in the body.

The disease (especially in its advanced form) is difficult to treat. It is important to recognize dangerous symptoms in time and begin therapy.

Causes of malignancy

Any mole or wart can develop into cancer. This requires long-term exposure unfavorable factors. Basic prerequisites:

ultraviolet radiation (solar or artificial);
Availability sunburn in the anamnesis;
injury to education;
the presence of a certain type of nevus (complex, borderline, blue, intradermal melanocytic);
a large number of moles (more than 50);
age over 50 years;
skin cancer in relatives or in the patient himself in the past.

Signs of a malignant nevus

Melanoma – cancer tumor, is formed from melanocytes (skin cells that produce melanin). The disease spreads throughout the body through the blood and lymph, so metastases are easy to detect in any organ. Melanoma is more common in fair-skinned, blond people with blue eyes.

The tumor can either initially form on the skin and mucous membranes, or degenerate from a nevus. Therefore, you need to periodically examine your body.

Photos of malignant moles and warts

There are a number of symptoms that you should pay attention to:

change in the contour of a mole (wart) - its size may increase, the edge becomes indistinct, blurred, lumpy;
color change - darkening, lightening;
compaction formation;
itching and burning of the skin in the mole area;
surface ulceration;
baldness of a skin area;
bleeding from the nevus.

How to distinguish a benign mole?

If a malignant nevus usually corresponds to the signs listed above, then a benign one looks more harmless:

benign mole symmetrical, has an even contour, a clear edge;
all parts of the formation are uniformly colored;
the surface is smooth and even;
the nevus does not change its size;
does not cause discomfort.

If these points fit the description of your education, then there is no need to worry. Otherwise, it is better to entrust the diagnosis to a doctor.

Which doctor should I contact?

A dermatologist-oncologist deals with the treatment and diagnosis of malignant skin tumors. Such a doctor conducts consultations both in private clinics and in public ones (oncological dispensary or dermatovenous dispensary).

If it is difficult to find this specialist in your city, you can contact an oncologist, dermatologist or surgeon.

It often happens that getting to to a specialist difficult: no ticket, or registration on wrong time. In this case, you can contact your local therapist. Every doctor can carry out primary diagnosis diseases.

The main thing is not to delay your visit to the doctor!

How is diagnosis carried out?

First of all, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms in detail. It is important to know how long ago the changes began? How fast is the process? How often have you been exposed to pathological factors?

Then you can begin the inspection. An indispensable method diagnostics skin diseases is dermatoscopy - examination of the nevus using a magnifying glass or a special dermatoscope. The assessment of what education looks like is carried out using the ABCDE scale:

A – asymmetry,
B – jagged edge,
C – difference in parts of the mole by color,
D – nevus size greater than 6 mm,
E – variability of formation.

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe a smear from the nevus. Such an examination has a certain risk, because During the method, you can damage the mole, which will provoke the growth of cancer cells.

Final diagnosis can be placed only after excision of the melanoma along with the surrounding tissues. After surgery, the sample is sent to the laboratory for histological analysis. Determine whether the tumor is completely removed and its growth rate (mitotic index). It is necessary to assign it correctly further treatment.

CT, MRI and ultrasound internal organs prescribed to monitor the presence of metastases in surrounding tissues, organs and lymph nodes.

Treatment of the disease

If warts or papillomas are often removed using cryodestruction or electrocoagulation, then this method is completely unsuitable for malignant nevi. There is a high probability that the tissue will not be completely excised and cancer cells will remain at the bottom of the wound.

In this case, melanoma will still manifest itself over time, and it will be even more difficult to treat.

The main method of combating melanoma is surgical. The type of surgery, as well as maintenance therapy, depends on the presence of metastases.

initial stage diseases (without metastasis).

Both to remove newly appeared melanoma and to treat relapses, sheath-fascial excision of tissue is used.

Those. together with the nevus, the skin around (1-3 cm depending on the stage of the process), affected lymph nodes, subcutaneous fat down to the muscle are removed.

Some surgeons prefer to remove muscles and fascia. The defect is then restored with one's own or synthetic tissues.

Metastatic tumor.

If the formation has “sprouted” into other organs, surgery will not be enough. It is necessary to influence the entire body to suppress the growth of metastases. For this purpose, radiation, immunotherapy and chemotherapy are used:

radiation therapy– melanoma does not respond well to such treatment, so it is prescribed only if the patient categorically refuses surgery. Or in combination with another type of therapy. The total radiation dose must be at least 120 Gy;
immunotherapy - the patient is given analogues of the components of his own immune system. Interferon-alpha, Interleukin 2 and monoclonal antibodies (ipilimumab, nivolumab) are prescribed;
Chemotherapy is most effective when using Imidazolecarboxamide, which can enhance any other therapy by 20-30%. Other agents: carmustine, lomustine, cyclophosphamide.

The choice of therapy is made by the doctor.

Unfortunately, even if the treatment is carried out in full, the result is not always positive. Malignant melanoma may return after a while. That is why it is important not to waste a second and start therapy as soon as possible.

This gives you a better chance for a long and happy life. It is also important to take very good care of your body. If you have already been diagnosed with melanoma, completely eliminate exposure to all adverse factors. This will greatly help in treating the disease.

How often should I be examined after removal?

If remission occurs as a result of the treatment, the person begins to live life to the fullest. But you will still have to visit the cancer clinic.

For the first year after surgery, visits to the doctor will be frequent - every month or every quarter. Then less often - 1-2 times a year. You cannot skip examinations.

The doctor must constantly monitor the condition of the postoperative wound, the immediate skin and lymph nodes. You also need to periodically take tests and undergo examinations to make sure that the body is functioning correctly.

Forecast

The most reliable prognostic sign for malignant nevus– depth of tissue damage. If the mole has been completely removed and there are no metastases, the prognosis is favorable. Important role has the age and gender of the patient.

Young women are more likely to be cured of melanoma. If the disease has been advanced, the probability of five-year survival is about 10%.

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All information is presented for educational purposes. Do not self-medicate, it is dangerous! Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.