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Even though it is only two syllables, the word “cancer” manages to strike fear into the hearts of most of us. Melanoma is a form of cancer that can present itself in a variety of different ways, despite the fact that the vast majority of people, when they hear the word “melanoma,” immediately think of cancer of the skin. Melanoma can appear in a variety of different ways.
Because of the way that the phrase “subungual melanoma” is spelled, it is logical to assume that we are dealing with a type of cancer when we read it. Melanoma is short for “subungual melanoma.” Then, could you perhaps explain it further? This is the most appropriate setting for us to continue discussing it, so let’s do it here. Proper nail care with Maby blog.
Subungual melanoma: what is it?
Nail melanoma develops within the nail, or more specifically, the nail bed, which serves to protect the skin and flesh beneath the nail.
Although subungual melanoma is uncommon, it is nevertheless important to seek treatment as soon as possible if you develop symptoms of this disease.
You certainly don’t want your nail bed cancer to expand and cause more problems than are really necessary.
Which symptoms are present?
You may already be familiar with the appearance of this melanoma if you have ever bruised your fingernails or toenails after striking a hard surface. However, subungual melanoma can be distinguished from a simple nail bruise or melanonychia by its more ominous symptoms.
The nail bruise may seem brown and vertical at first, and the brown band may gradually widen and increase as the bruise progresses. The dark bands on your nails, if left untreated for too long, may extend to the surrounding skin.
Nails that fracture easily and break easily are often associated with melanoma because of all these factors.
While nail color may remain unaffected in some circumstances, a suspicious lump may appear under the nail.
Because this melanoma affects individual toenails rather than the entire toes at once, it is important to seek medical attention at the first sign of this problem spreading from one toe to the next.
Subungual melanoma: what causes it?
Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major cause of skin cancer, and this is generally accepted as common knowledge. Subungual melanomas, on the other hand, are a type of cancer that typically results from damage to the skin between the digits of a person’s fingers or toes.
Thumb and big toe nails are more likely than those of other digits to be affected by this type of cancer.
Do you need to worry?
Subungual melanoma risk cannot be determined with certainty, although studies have shown that middle-aged and older persons, especially those with dark skin, are more likely to develop this condition.
Is it necessary to see a doctor?
If you discover any unusual growths or changes on your body, you should consult a medical practitioner immediately. If you experience any of the following symptoms or have any other concerns, it is important to see a doctor right once in case you have a malignant melanoma.
A biopsy of a nail sample is necessary for a specialist to confirm a diagnosis of this illness. If the dark stain on your nails is indeed melanoma, a biopsy can determine the type of cancer; if not, you may learn whether a fungal infection is to blame.
Subungual melanoma: what are the treatment options?
Treatment of cancer requires more than just medication; malignant cells must be eliminated entirely. Surgery is necessary to remove the afflicted toenails and then the malignant cells from under the nails if you have one of these melanomas.
Nail melanoma surgery is still the only reliable treatment option nowadays. After surgery, the impacted malignant cells are usually no longer a concern.
Subungual melanoma has a 5-year survival rate of between 16 and 18%, depending on how quickly it is identified. It’s best to catch it early with a diagnosis.
If i don’t get it treated, what will happen?
Melanomas have the potential to cause a wide variety of problems. Subungual melanomas, if left untreated, can rapidly metastasis, spreading to other parts of the body; therefore, prompt treatment is essential if you have already been diagnosed with this cancer.
What to do to avoid it
Since these malignancies are frequently brought on by trauma or injury, the only method to avoid getting one is to take precautions against such harm. Always protect yourself when playing contact sports, and make sure there are no anomalies in your nails by checking them often.
An early trip to the doctor can easily save your life from future issues and costs, even if the adage “prevention is better than cure” is hard to apply to something that is so largely focused on accident risk-reduction. In addition, please refer to: The symptoms, roots, and cure for pterygium nails.