Today I want to tell you about a problem that many turn a blind eye to and turn to a specialist too late. Some are even confused with nail fungus. And the problem is quite serious and dangerous (sometimes even deadly). It will be about nail melanoma or subungual melanoma.
The disease has a medical term - subungual melanoma.
Mostly this problem occurs in older people (50 and older), but this does not mean that the young will be bypassed.
Nail melanoma has no gender choice: it occurs in both women and men. The whole danger of it is that it is one of the rare and dangerous forms of cancer, which is difficult to diagnose, and even more difficult to treat. The fact that scientists cannot still establish the exact cause of the formation of nail melanoma only further aggravates the danger.
There are only suggestions what can affect the appearance of melanoma: genetic predisposition, trauma to the nail plate, insolation (damage by solar radiation). Although it is a very controversial statement about the negative effects of the sun, the nature of nail melanoma is completely different from traditional melanoma, since it is not formed on the skin, but in the matrix.
Scientists also identified people at risk: elderly people over the age of 50, with dark skin and people with a large number of moles.
It is believed that gel polish, namely the UV lamp in which it polymerizes, is also the cause of nail melanoma. But, unfortunately, such studies have not been carried out and it is not yet possible to say for sure. So do not be afraid in advance.
Melanoma of the nail can appear on the nail plate of the fingers or toes. Mostly formed on the thumb. And all the time it is constantly growing and developing, only for some it can be years of development from the first stage to 4, and for some - several months. Therefore, the sooner you notice it, the faster the treatment will begin.
In most cases, a dark spot or longitudinal stripe appears on the nail. Over time, the stain begins to grow and change color, in size it can cover the entire nail. If you do not go to the doctor in time, ulcers will begin to appear and pus will be released.
Sometimes the appearance of subungual melanoma can be asymptomatic, without dark streaks or spots. You can notice it if only a seal that lifts the nail begins to appear under the nail plate.
The longer a person delays the trip to the doctor, the more cells spread, affecting the skin around the nail, at the last stage - metastases begin to appear in the bones, liver and lungs. In the last stages of the development of treatment, it will not be limited to the removal of part or completely of the nail plate, but to the removal of the whole phalanx of the finger, and with spreading metastases - chemotherapy.
Finger amputation is also a controversial topic that causes a lot of discussion in the medical community. According to the review all existing literature on this issue, amputation does not improve the overall prognosis. The best option is early surgery.
If you see any neoplasm on the nail (it doesn't matter: be it a black stripe, a fossa or vice versa - a seal has appeared) - do not be lazy to go to the doctor. The condition of the nails like no other reflects the general condition of the body, not in vain for operations or childbirth ask to remove the cover on the thumb, because if something goes wrong, the nail will change immediately Colour.
Take care of yourself!
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