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Although the detection rate of melanoma at an early stage has increased significantly over the past ten years, many patients come to doctors already with damage to internal organs.
Melanoma is one of the most common types of skin cancer, which is manifested by birthmarks. The disease has four stages. At the first stage, a neoplasm or a change in the "old" mole most often occurs, and the patient is not bothered by anything. But the fact is that melanoma can develop very quickly, the body practically does not fight it, and metastases spread to internal organs.
Although the number of cases detected at an early stage is now increasing every year, this is largely due to increased patient awareness of the symptoms. However, many patients come to the oncologist already with metastases, and this seriously reduces the chances of a favorable outcome. Meanwhile, melanoma in the first stage is perfectly treated.
Doctors believe that any skin changes that are unclear should be shown to a dermatologist, who, if necessary, will refer you to other specialists. There are five symptoms that should alert you:
– a neoplasm has appeared on the skin, which grows and changes;
– a birthmark that was already there began to grow, change color, its edges became uneven;
– the birthmark began to hurt, itch, cause discomfort;
– signs of inflammation have appeared around the mole or on it, for example, redness or damage to the skin;
- the birthmark is bleeding.
