Skin melanoma: first signs, diagnosis and treatment

Other names: Меланома, меланома кожи, злокачественная меланома, рак кожи of родинки, признаки меланомы, переродилась родинка, меланома ногтя

Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes, pigment-producing cells. Most often it occurs on the skin, less often on the mucous membranes and in the eye. The tumor may appear from an existing mole or on otherwise healthy skin, including the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and under the nail. The main risk factors are sunburn, tanning beds, fair skin, a large number of moles and melanoma in relatives. Melanoma is prone to early metastasis, therefore it is considered one of the most dangerous skin tumors. At the same time, at an early stage, while the tumor is thin, surgical removal often leads to a cure. Any changes in a mole are a reason to see a dermatologist or oncologist as soon as possible.

🧾 МКБ-10: C43 🏥 Where it is treated: 8 Dangerous due to early metastasisCurable at an early stageDiagnosis - only by histology

👨‍⚕️ Which doctor

Dermatologist, oncologist

🔬 Diagnostics

Dermatoscopy, excision with histology, sentinel lymph node biopsy, ultrasound of lymph nodes, CT or MRI according to stage

💊 Treatment

Surgical excision, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy

📈 Prognosis

Depends on tumor thickness and stage; early stages are often curable

⚠️ At risk

Sunburn, solarium, fair skin, many moles, atypical nevi, heredity

⏱ When to see a doctor

Urgent - consultation with an oncologist without delay

🚨 See a doctor urgently

With these signs do not wait for a scheduled appointment — the condition requires emergency care.

Родинка быстро растёт или меняет форму
Неоднородная окраска с чёрными, красными, синими или белыми участками
Плотный выпуклый узелок, растущий в течение нескольких недель
Кровоточивость или изъязвление образования без травмы
Тёмная полоса на ногте, которая расширяется или переходит на кожу валика
Увеличенные плотные лимфоузлы рядом с подозрительной родинкой

Types of melanoma

Melanomas vary in their growth pattern and location. The superficially spreading form grows in width for a long time and looks like a spot with uneven edges and different shades. Nodular melanoma immediately grows inward, is a convex dense nodule, often monochromatic, and may not comply with the ABCDE rule. Melanoma of the lentigo maligna type appears on the face in older people. Acral lentiginous form occurs on the palms, soles, and under the fingernails and occurs in people of all skin colors.

Superficial spreading melanoma
Nodular melanoma
Melanoma type lentigo maligna
Acral lentiginous melanoma
Amelanotic melanoma
Melanoma of the mucous membranes and eyes

Causes and risk factors

The main external factor is ultraviolet radiation, especially intense and intermittent, causing sunburn, as well as artificial tanning in a solarium. The risk is higher in people with fair skin and hair, freckles, and those who burn easily. A large number of moles, atypical and large congenital nevi, as well as melanoma in close relatives increase the likelihood of the disease. A weakened immune system is important, for example after organ transplantation. Acral melanoma is not associated with the sun.

Sunburn, especially in childhood
Solarium
Light skin, red or blond hair
A large number of moles
Atypical and large congenital nevi
Melanoma in relatives
Suppressed immunity

Signs of melanoma

The ABCDE rule helps to suspect melanoma: asymmetry, uneven borders, uneven color, diameter greater than 6 mm and changes over time. For nodular tumors, other signs are important: the formation is convex, dense and grows over several weeks. A mole that is different from the others is alarming. Under the nail, melanoma appears as a brown or black longitudinal stripe that widens, is uneven in color, or extends into the skin around the nail. Itching and bleeding are later signs.

Asymmetry and jagged edges
Several colors in one formation
Growth and change in shape
Convex dense growing node
Ulceration, crusting, bleeding
Dark stripe on the nail with a transition to the roller

Diagnostics

The dermatologist examines the entire skin and examines the suspicious lesion using a dermatoscope. If melanoma cannot be excluded, an excisional biopsy is performed - complete removal of the formation with a small indentation of healthy skin and histological examination. The histologist determines the thickness of the tumor according to Breslow, the presence of ulceration and other characteristics, which determine the stage and treatment plan. To assess spread, ultrasound of the lymph nodes, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and, if necessary, CT, MRI or PET-CT, and molecular genetic analysis of the tumor are prescribed.

Dermatoscopy
Excisional biopsy with histology
Immunohistochemical study
Ultrasound of regional lymph nodes
Sentinel lymph node biopsy
CT, MRI or PET-CT as indicated
Tumor testing for BRAF mutation

Treatment and prevention

The main method of treating localized melanoma is surgical excision of the tumor with an indentation of healthy tissue, the size of which is determined by the thickness of the tumor. If lymph nodes are affected, they may need to be removed. After surgery, if there is a high risk of relapse, additional immunotherapy or targeted therapy is prescribed. For widespread disease, immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted drugs for BRAF mutations, and radiation therapy are used. The treatment plan is drawn up by the oncology council, and after treatment the patient is regularly monitored by an oncologist.

Protect skin from the sun, especially in children
Avoid solarium
Check your skin monthly
Show moles to a dermatologist if there are risk factors
Do not remove suspicious moles without histology
Follow up regularly after treatment

Services and prices for this diagnosis

Based on official price lists of Tashkent clinics. The exact cost is determined after examination.

🔬 Diagnostics

Первичный приём онкологаfrom 250 000 Гистологическое исследование операционного материалаfrom 1 120 000 УЗИ лимфатических узловfrom 95 000 МСКТ грудной клеткиfrom 350 000 ЛДГ (лактатдегидрогеназа)from 50 000

💊 Treatment

Иссечение кожного образования (с гистологией)from 1 400 000

Frequently asked questions: Melanoma

How to distinguish melanoma from a regular mole?+

An ordinary mole is symmetrical, monochromatic, with smooth edges and does not change over the years. Melanoma is often asymmetrical, unevenly colored, with uneven edges, grows and changes. Nodular forms look like a rapidly growing dense nodule. They can only be accurately distinguished using dermatoscopy and histological examination.

Is melanoma curable?+

In the early stages, when the tumor is thin and has not spread, surgical removal often results in a complete cure. In later stages, the prognosis is more serious, but modern immune and targeted drugs have significantly expanded treatment options. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial.

Does melanoma occur in people with dark skin?+

Yes. In people with dark skin, melanoma is less common, but more often occurs on the palms, soles, under the nails and on mucous membranes, where it is noticed late. A dark stripe on a nail or a growing spot on the foot is a reason to consult a dermatologist.

Is it possible to remove a suspicious mole with a laser?+

No. The laser destroys the tissue and it cannot be examined under a microscope. If the tumor turns out to be melanoma, information about the thickness of the tumor will be lost, necessary for choosing treatment. Suspicious moles are removed surgically with mandatory histology.

Do I need to be examined after melanoma removal?+

Yes. After treatment, the patient is regularly monitored by an oncologist and dermatologist: examination of the skin and lymph nodes, ultrasound and other studies are carried out depending on the stage. It is also important to self-examine your skin and protect yourself from the sun, as the risk of new melanoma is increased.

The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor consultation. Only a qualified specialist can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment after an in-person examination.