Melanoma of the nail: signs and treatment

Sometimes in the human body without any tangible reasonsthere is an ailment that is associated with uncontrolled self-reproduction of cells. One of the types of such ailments is the melanoma of the nail. The initial stage of the disease is not very noticeable and may resemble other destructive processes. Therefore, patients seek help at later stages.

Features of the disease

In simple terms, melanoma of the nailis a type of cancer, which is characterized by aggressive development and a specific clinical picture. If you take all the cancer, then about 4 percent accounted for precisely this disease.

Medical statistics show that inIn most cases, the thumb on the right hand is affected. The preliminary stage of the oncological process proceeds secretly. On external parameters, it is not always possible to identify a cancerous formation.

Most often the melanoma of the nail is stainedepithelial pigment. In this case, to establish the correct diagnosis becomes much easier even with a preliminary examination with a doctor. About 20 percent of malignant tumors do not have this color, which complicates the diagnosis.

Causes of appearance

Various factors can lead to the degeneration of the cells of the nail plate:

• presence on the skin of benign neoplasms like moles, papillomas, warts and other outgrowths, which began to form a tumor body;
• congenital malformations of the epithelium with atypical influxes present on the fingers of the patient from the very beginning of life;
• the course of the oncological process in any organs or parts of the body that led to the defeat of the nail plate with metastases;
• formation under the nail plate of chancre, which appeared as a result of fungal or viral infection;
• regular injury at the site of the tumor in severe physical conditions;
• exposure to the surface of the fingers of direct sunlight.

These risk factors can giveoncological process. As a result, melanoma of the nail is formed. Photo with its development in later stages can not be confused with other diseases. By the appearance of the nail plate, it becomes immediately clear that there is a cancerous formation.

The main symptomatology

With cancer, attention should be paid to a number of important points. Although the disease is easily confused with a common fungal infection, there are weighty signs that allow you to establish a diagnosis.

Usually draw attention to the following symptoms of nail melanoma:

1. Tumor formation.Often a dense build-up of outgrowth cells is formed. It is he who begins to destroy the structure of the nail plate. Pores appear on its surface, after which the layers are separated.
2. Change the color of the nail.In fact, this is one of the most important signs of the course of the pathological process. The surface can be painted in blue, black, brown or purple. If the surface of the nail has changed color without any appreciable damage, then the patient should seek help from a medical institution.
3. The presence of a vertical strip.With the growth of the body of the tumor, a clear vertical line is often formed, dividing the surface into two parts. It often appears in the center of the plate. A strip may change color over time. Everything will depend on the specific course of the oncological disease.
4. The flow of pus from under the nail plate.At later stages, severe inflammation begins. A large amount of pus is allocated. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics in this case does not give the proper effect.
5. Frequent pain in the lesion.When pressing on the finger, they become strongly pronounced. During periods of regular exacerbations, the pain intensifies even in a calm state. In the area of ​​oncology flow there is a distinct pulsation.
6. Separation of the nail from the base.When the disease progresses, the plate does not receive the necessary nutrition, so it starts to flake off the finger. Remains in sight only a soft cushion, modified by the ongoing oncological process.

Наличие двух и более признаков позволяет врачу suggest that the patient formed a melanoma of the nail of the leg or arm. Sometimes there are mistakes, for example, a specialist who examines the patient, confuses this ailment with panaricium, which belongs to the category of infectious diseases.

Types of tumors and characteristics

Melanomas can be of different types. The main types of such tumors are reflected in the table:

Types of tumor of the nail plate

Stages of the course of the disease

In the first two stages, melanoma under the nail has quite limited dimensions. The expanding cells do not yet affect the deep tissues and internal organs. The risk of spread is not too high.

There are four main stages of the course of the disease, the main evaluation criterion of which is the thickness of the formation:

• In the first stage, the formation thickness is less than 1 mm. The surface of the nail has no obvious damage, ulcers are not detected. When you press the pain is not felt.
• In the second stage, the thickness reaches 2-4 mm. There are minor ulcerations. Often formed tubercles directly on the nail plate.
• At the third stage, the formation thickness is 4 mm and more. Tumor cells already reach the regional lymph nodes, creating secondary foci there.
• At the fourth stage, it does not matter what thickness the tumor has reached. Metastases spread to various organs. Pain is very strong. The size of the tumor grows significantly.

As for pain, they canappear at the second stage, when the thickness of the build-up begins to reach 2-4 mm. However, this does not always happen. In some cases, the pain does not occur until the very last stage, until the bone tissue of the finger begins to be completely affected.

Basic diagnostic options

It is important at the right time to determine exactly whatthere was a melanoma of the nail. The initial phase of the development of the disease is treated much easier than the later. To identify a dangerous disease, special diagnostic measures are used:

• general study of urine and blood tests;
• MRI;
• tissue sampling for biopsy;
• Translucent nail plate with a special device;
• the implementation of ultrasound;
• detection of oncological markers;
• receiving puncture from lymph nodes.

These options allow you to get some information, but they are usually carried out in a complex. After studying the results, a concrete conclusion is made.

Treatment process

Before you begin treating a nail melanoma,determine the presence of metastasis. In the initial stages of the patient, the newly formed tumor is surgically removed. If necessary, healthy tissues located around the affected area are also affected. The phalanx is cut off only in advanced cases.

With the formation of metastasis, the effectiveness of treatment decreases sharply. The patient may additionally be assigned to radiation or chemical therapy. Sometimes lymph nodes are subject to removal.

Survival prognosis

In assessing the prospects for the treatment of nail melanomaan important role is played by a stage of detection of a disease. Even if the patient has recovered, it is necessary to monitor the state of health all the time. There is a high risk of recurrence of the disease. Sometimes even after a few years, the disease returns.

Five-year survival in the presence of a tumor in percent is expressed as follows:

• At the first stage - 95%.
• In the second stage - 70%.
• At the third stage - 30%.
• In the fourth stage - 7%.

Low survival in the latter stages is due to the appearance of metastases, which can occur not only in the affected fingers, but also in other parts of the body.

Final part

To avoid difficult and long-term treatment withnail melanoma, you must adhere to preventive measures. You should limit your exposure to direct sunlight, as well as avoid bad habits such as drinking and smoking tobacco products. In case of suspicious changes in the nail plate, you should immediately consult a doctor.