Diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma
The dermatology clinic Medicalia specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma in Rome. The center, specialized in Oncological Dermatology, is directed by Dr. Elisabetta Perosino, Executive Committee member of ISPLAD.
Exams and treatments for cutaneous melanoma
Melanoma, informazioni e consigli dello Specialista
Although melanoma constitutes only 1% of skin cancers, it accounts for the majority of deaths due to skin tumors.
Understanding its presentation and underlying risk factors is crucial for early diagnosis, enabling complete tumor removal and minimizing the risk of metastasis.
What is melanoma and how does it develop?
Melanoma is a highly aggressive malignant tumor that affects the skin or, more rarely, mucous membranes.
It develops due to pro-tumoral mutations affecting melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for melanin production.
The disease rarely affects individuals before puberty but typically manifests from the age of 30, with a higher incidence between 30 and 60 years.
In recent decades, the incidence of melanoma in the general population has increased, while mortality has remained constant, thanks to increasingly early diagnoses and the development of more effective therapies.
Risk factors for cutaneous melanoma
Major risk factors for developing melanoma include UV exposure and genetic predisposition.
Short, intense exposure to sunlight is particularly harmful, especially for individuals with fair skin, blonde or red hair, and blue or green eyes.
Additionally, belonging to a family where the disease has already occurred increases the risk of developing melanomas throughout life.
Presentation of melanoma
Clinically, melanoma can present in various forms.
Typically, in its most common form, superficial spreading melanoma, which accounts for 70% of cases, initially appears as a flat spread on the skin surface, progressing to the formation of nodules that can invade deeper skin layers.
This behavior is also observed in lentigo maligna and acral melanoma, although these are rarer.
In nodular melanoma, invasive nodules are present from the outset.
Melanoma can spread throughout the body; however, the most frequent sites of metastasis are lymph nodes, lungs, liver, bones, and brain. Symptoms vary depending on the affected organ.
The presence or absence of invasive components in melanoma is crucial for determining prognosis, which is significantly better in superficial forms diagnosed early.
Therefore, it is important to consult a dermatologist for suspicious lesions and to undergo periodic checks to monitor moles.
Diagnosis of melanoma
The diagnosis of melanoma relies on clinical examination (collecting the patient’s medical history and observing suspicious lesions), epiluminescence dermoscopy, and skin biopsy with subsequent histological analysis of the sample.
Patients also play a crucial role in early melanoma diagnosis through self-examination of moles using the ABCDE criteria, which should be performed periodically to monitor moles based on important parameters:
- Asymmetry compared to the lesion’s main axis;
- Irregular Borders;
- Changes in Color, such as non-uniformity, reddish areas, or darker zones;
- Diameter greater than 6 mm or increasing in size;
- Evolution, doubling in size within 3-6 months.
It is advisable to consult a dermatologist if a mole bleeds, itches, or is surrounded by a nodule or reddened area.
Looking for a Dermatologist for the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma in Rome?
Treatments for melanoma
Treatments for melanoma vary depending on its type, disease stage, location, patient age, and overall health:
- Surgical excision of melanoma is the first-line standard treatment. It yields excellent results when the tumor is in an early disease stage and is superficially spread.
- Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy are oncological therapies used for advanced-stage melanomas that have already spread. These therapies target specific melanoma subtypes and consist of drugs that destroy specific components of melanoma or “educate” the immune system to combat tumor cells.
- Radiotherapy is used in oncology for brain or bone metastases.
The effectiveness of melanoma treatment is directly proportional to the early diagnosis.
Prevention of cutaneous melanoma
Preventing cutaneous melanoma requires responsible UV exposure management:
- Use sunscreen with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 (higher for people with lighter skin), applying it multiple times if exposure is prolonged to ensure continuous protection (it is recommended to reapply every 2 hours).
- Avoid sun exposure during peak hours (10 am to 4 pm), especially in summer.
- Avoid using tanning beds and lamps.
It is crucial to practice these behaviors during childhood, as melanoma formation is a lengthy process that begins in early years.
Therefore, avoiding the foundations for its development from the outset is important.
Diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma in Rome
Medicalia in Rome is a center for Oncological Dermatology specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma. The center is directed by Dr. Elisabetta Perosino, a specialist in Dermatology and Executive Committee member of ISPLAD.
For more information or to book an appointment, contact us.
Patient Disclaimer
The information on this page is for informational purposes only and cannot replace the advice of a physician.
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