Signs of melanoma

Recently, the Department of Plastic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Central Dermatology Hospital has continuously received patients with black heels and black lesions on the soles of the feet.

Illustration photo.

Specifically, the Department recently received patient LTT born in 1954 with a thin body, especially with black lesions and ulcers, oozing fluid and had been treated at the Provincial Hospital many times with an unclear diagnosis.

According to the patient, the black lesion appeared 10 years ago. But over time, the black lesion gradually increased in size. For about a year now, the black lesion has grown rapidly, ulcerated, and during this time, the patient went to the provincial hospital for examination and was treated with excision and suture many times but did not recover.

On July 1, 2024, the patient was transferred to the Department of Plastic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Central Dermatology Hospital for examination and was assigned a blood test, ultrasound, and dermoscopy - a specific test in the field of Dermatology, which can detect early signs of skin cancer.

After examination and testing, the doctor made a preliminary diagnosis of malignant melanoma (MM) on P's heel.

The patient was indicated for surgery to remove the entire tumor and perform a histopathological examination to accurately determine the extent of invasion and the stage of the disease, from which a timely treatment plan will be developed, appropriate to the stage of the disease. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the rate of near or far metastasis of melanoma.

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Quang, Deputy Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Deputy Head of the Melanoma Expert Group, Central Dermatology Hospital, in June 2024, the Hospital established a melanoma specialist group - trained in Japan. The group is responsible for examining, treating and managing melanoma in depth.

Melanoma is one of the most malignant skin cancers because it progresses rapidly and metastasizes far away. Although the disease is very malignant with a high rate of metastasis, if detected early and treated according to the correct regimen, the results are good, with a very high 5-year survival rate.

Signs of melanoma are black lesions with a size >6mm, progressing in size, inconsistent in color in any location of the skin and mucous membranes, but for Vietnamese people, they often appear at the extremities such as the hands, fingers and toes. With the above signs, it is recommended that patients visit a specialist.