Melanoma - features of the disease. Treatment of melanoma in Israel

Melanoma is a disease caused by the development of a specific tumor that grows from pigment cells that produce melanin. Like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, it belongs to the category of neoplasms with malignant character and general aggressive course of the disease. As a rule, the melanoma tumor is localized on the skin of the person, much less often in the mucous membranes (rectum, vagina, oral cavity), the retina of the eyes.

This disease is considered very dangerous, since melanoma tumor cancer cells divide extremely quickly, which often leads to the development of a metastatic process in the patient's body.

Melanoma is less common skin pathology, compared with squamous and basal cell carcinoma of the skin. Basically, malignant neoplasm localization occurs on the human body and limbs. Exposed to this disease are mostly people of the East European skin type. The presence of scars or trophic ulcers, as well as obtaining severe sunburn, may be triggers of melanoma. Main pathology is detected in the elderly. This type of cancer can be transmitted genetically.

Timely diagnosis and treatment of melanoma is a very important aspect. After all, this ailment is extremely aggressive and can lead to extremely negative consequences, including a fatal outcome. It is possible to completely cure melanoma in the absence of a metastatic tumor process, when the disease is in its early stages of development. With the progression of this type of skin cancer, treatment will be more difficult and time-consuming.

Melanoma - Symptoms

As a rule, malignant process with melanoma occurs in the places of birthmarks or moles (nevi), mostly dark shades. Asymmetric formations of dark color can appear on clean areas of the skin where there are no pigment spots.

An important feature of melanoma neoplasm is the absence of hairy vegetation in the nevus. Over time, education begins to grow, change color, itch, bleed. This already indicates the progression of the disease and the presence of metastases. The nature of growth and the likelihood of developing a metastatic process with melanoma is difficult to predict, it all depends on the specific nature of the patient's body.

Types of melanoma

• Superficial melanoma - grows rather slowly (for several years);
• Melanoma of the nodal type - is characterized by rapid growth of the tumor, which is vulnerable to external factors;
• Hutchinson's freckles or malignant lentigo are common among the elderly;
• Peripheral lentigo is usually located in hard-to-reach places, therefore it is diagnosed, as a rule, at the late stages of development. This kind of melanoma is more susceptible to people with dark skin color.

Examination with melanoma

In the presence of suspicious formations, it is better to seek medical advice from a doctor and undergo a full range of examinations to make sure that there is no disease or to confirm a sad diagnosis. Timely detection of the tumor significantly increases the chances of the patient to complete recovery and avoid recurrence of pathology.

When diagnosing melanoma, the following types of examinations can be performed:

• Examination of the neoplasm and collection of anamnesis of the patient;
• Lab tests;
• Histological examination of suspicious skin tissue by biopsy;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• CT scan;
• Radiographic examination of the thoracic cavity.

Treatment of melanoma in Israel

If a melanoma tumor was found in the early stages, a surgical procedure is performed, which allows the tumor to be removed. Depending on the type and localization, resection of small (up to 2 cm) or large (up to 5 cm) skin areas is performed. Extensive excision of the tumor can guarantee total removal of cancers, but it can cause a relapse of the oncology in the area of the transplanted skin area or formed scar.

When choosing a combination therapy for melanoma, radiotherapy is often used. It is recommended for bleeding and expressed types of tumors. Irradiation can suppress the process of biological activity of cancer cells and create an optimal atmosphere for performing surgical intervention.

Radiotherapy is practically not used as an independent treatment for melanoma in Israel, but is performed before or after the operation.

Chemotherapy treatment of melanoma in Israel is extremely rare, because it has unsatisfactory results.

Cancer treatment in Israel has good enough predictions and a high level of complete cure of patients, without the subsequent recurrent process. This is achieved through the use of high-precision innovative devices and advanced techniques for recognition and neutralization of cancer cells, the use of only effective drugs clinically tested and reliable in their application, and treatment of cancer patients is handled by qualified specialists with successful practical experience in the treatment of complex cancerous pathologies.