From black nails, detect skin cancer

Dr. Nguyen Huu Quang, Deputy Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery & Rehabilitation, Central Dermatology Hospital, said that patient DTC, 75 years old, came to the hospital for examination in early February, with clinical signs of black patches, ulcers, oozing and bleeding, and mild pain in the nail area of the third finger of the right hand.

The patient also went to see a doctor and received treatment at a medical facility, but his condition did not improve.

Từ móng tay đen, phát hiện ung thư da - 1 — The patient's right third finger is black and missing nail (Photo: Dr. Huu Quang).

Patient C. said that the black spot on the nail and skin of the third finger of his right hand had appeared for a year. However, because it was not painful, the patient ignored it. Over time, the black lesion gradually increased in size, became rough, ulcerated, oozed fluid, and lost the nail plate.

Six months ago, the patient went to the district hospital for examination and treatment but the disease did not improve.

On February 1, the patient went to the Central Dermatology Hospital for examination. Here, after examination and testing, the doctor diagnosed the patient with melanoma on the third finger of the right hand.

"We consulted and indicated that the patient needed surgery to remove the cancer and remove the sentinel lymph nodes. Fortunately, the disease was in the early stages of melanoma, so the patient only needed surgical treatment and continued monitoring for the next 5 years, without chemotherapy or radiotherapy. After surgery, the patient's condition was stable and he recovered well," Dr. Quang informed.

According to Dr. Quang, melanoma is one of the most malignant skin cancers because it progresses rapidly and metastasizes far away. Although the disease is very malignant with a high rate of metastasis, if detected early and treated according to the correct regimen, it can be cured, with a very high 5-year survival rate.

Therefore, when detecting abnormal signs on the skin, patients should go to the doctor early for timely detection, diagnosis and treatment.

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