Melanoma of the foot (on the leg)
Definition of foot melanoma
Melanoma of the foot is a dangerous tumor located on the legs and causing a lot of discomfort. They arise due to certain changes and increased production of melanin. The anatomical and functional characteristics of the feet are so unique that they put forward an important task of closing defects after the necessary excision of the tumor in melanomas. The complexity of any plastic surgery and other reconstructive procedures in this area is due to various age-related disorders.
It is believed that this type of disease is provoked by an incorrect lifestyle and poor ecology. One of the most common skin diseases of the feet is not only mycosis and athlete's foot, but also melanoma. This tumor is an unusual malignant dark brown neoplasm. After the first appearance on the feet, such melanoma can spread throughout the body, causing severe pain.
Relapses of melanomas in the legs are always treated with specially selected chemotherapy. The share of such malignant tumors that develop on the legs from melanocytic cells account for about 50% of cases. They usually arise from common benign lesions. Not a single person is immune from the accumulation of melanocytes. There are cases when melanoma was formed from a single melanocyte. Such an insidious ailment occurs under the influence of various injuries, burns and a large amount of ultraviolet radiation.
It has been proven that during pregnancy and menopause, the hormonal background changes significantly, which triggers the degeneration of ordinary moles. However, it should be noted that these factors only trigger a mechanism that is already initially laid down at the genetic level in the human body.
Melanoma of the feet is the most aggressive of malignant tumors. It is capable of forming metastases, after the appearance of which it is considered practically incurable. To prevent the presented disease, it is necessary to constantly monitor the existing moles and age spots on the legs.
This form of cancer, even if small, is extremely life-threatening. Within several months, such neoplasms can affect many internal organs of a person. In the early stages of diagnosis, it is not difficult to remove melanoma on the feet. If the tumor exceeds more than 1 cm and has an uneven staining with asymmetric edges, a special complex treatment is selected, including, in addition to surgery, chemotherapy sessions.
Symptoms of leg melanoma
The main criteria in the diagnosis of age spots can be noted the rapid growth of new, recently appeared formations, changes in the size and structure of the old mole on the leg. Darkening of the tumor and the formation of black blotches in it are also considered an undoubted sign of the formation of melanoma.
Additional symptoms are the appearance of an extensive area of inflammation along the entire edge of the age spot on the leg, as well as severe itching and bleeding of the formation on the skin. Often, this ailment often affects women's feet. The sooner the doctor makes a diagnosis, the better the chances of successful treatment. The treatment of superficial melanomas on the legs without convex parts does not cause any particular difficulties.
Nodular tumors, slightly raised above the skin, are more aggressive in shape. They occur in approximately 15% of patients. Subungual melanoma on the toes is not uncommon. In most cases, it is diagnosed on the big toes. For an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to determine the thickness of melanoma cells. This indicator is calculated with a certain histological examination of the taken tissue samples.
With this indicator less than 1 mm, the tumor is often considered non-malignant, which does not require quick removal of the age spot. If this indicator is higher than 1 mm, then mandatory removal of the tumor is recommended.
Causes of foot melanoma
The main reason for the development of leg melanoma is solar radiation. However, there are cases when the presence of specific predisposing factors played an equally important role in the occurrence of such formations. These factors include the presence of atypical nevi, many freckles on the face, light sensitive skin, as well as various benign neoplasms in the body.
Prevention of leg melanoma
For prophylactic purposes, all people are advised to significantly limit exposure to the sun to protect against melanoma of the feet, and when working on sunny days in open areas, use light-colored cotton clothing. Also, experts advise to regularly examine the surface of the legs to identify possible changes in moles and age spots.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
