Melanoma Diagnosis

Melanoma originates from melanocytes, progresses rapidly, and metastasizes easily. Without early diagnosis and treatment, the disease may worsen quickly and become life-threatening. The diagnostic process involves detailed clinical examination, imaging evaluation, and pathological analysis. Accurate diagnosis is the foundation for developing personalized treatment plans and can effectively improve therapeutic outcomes.

Diagnostic Basis

1. Clinical Examination
Physicians observe the shape, color, size, and borders of skin lesions with the naked eye, using the "ABCDE" rule (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter increase, and Evolution) to preliminarily judge the nature of the lesion.

2. Dermoscopy
A dermoscope is used to magnify the lesion area, identifying characteristic structures of melanoma such as reticular pigment distribution and irregular vascular patterns, aiding clinical diagnosis.

3. Pathological Biopsy
Obtaining a tissue sample for pathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosing melanoma. The pathology report clarifies tumor cell type, grade, and depth of invasion, providing critical guidance for treatment.

4. Imaging Examination
Imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound are used to evaluate whether the tumor has invaded surrounding tissues or metastasized distantly, aiding staging and treatment decisions.

5. Laboratory Tests
Elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood can help assess melanoma progression and prognosis, though this is not a primary diagnostic method.

Conclusion

Early and accurate diagnosis of melanoma has a decisive impact on patient prognosis. Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that combining multiple diagnostic techniques for early precise diagnosis is the key to improving treatment success rates. Timely testing and standardized diagnostic processes will effectively reduce mortality.