How to Tell If You Have a Toenail Melanoma

Toenail melanomas are similarly discovered on the skin but they are on the skin beneath the toenail or thumbnail. This makes them much less noticeable specifically for folks who often wear dark nail polish. This is also the reason why most toenail melanomas are only treated or removed only Once they have reached the a lot more advanced stages of growth.

Thankfully, toenail melanoma is frequently benign, in which case a straightforward surgery can be completed to remove the skin tumor. Given that toenail melanoma is covered by the nail, the operation would call for the partial or total removal of the covering nail as nicely.

This is all accomplished under neighborhood anesthesia so there is absolutely nothing to be concerned about. With the advances in modern day medicine, this surgery will only last about an hour.

The very first symptom of this type of skin cancer is a tiny dark spot resembling a mole. Oftentimes, a toenail melanoma is dark yellow, brown or black.

In rare situations, the spot is colorless, producing it much more hard to detect. These varieties are the riskier ones specifically if they turn out to be malignant. They can maintain growing with the individual not even realizing he has it.

To differentiate in between a typical mole and a toenail melanoma, you will have to observe the spot for a couple of days or even weeks. If the spot grows in size, there is a significant opportunity that it is in truth a toenail melanoma.

Despite the fact that most toenail melanomas are benign, this is not a certainty. You call for to go in for a biopsy to establish the type of toenail melanoma you have.

Often a toenail melanoma starts not as a spot but a streak, similar to the white streaks that Occasionally appear on the nail following trauma. If you notice these streaks on your nails without having undergoing any type of nail trauma, you really should have your nail checked as this can be the beginning stages of a tumor.

Even though this condition is frequently referred to as toenail melanoma, it can in fact happen in any of your other nails as nicely. They do appear significantly a lot more often on the toenails and thumbnails but you really should frequently check your other nails as nicely.

Once you begin to notice these modifications in your nails, it is best to consult a physician correct away. Melanomas are still a type of cancer, and just like other cancers, they are much more effortlessly treated if detected early. Also, Considering that they are just like any other tumor, you will demand to undergo chemotherapy and radiation in case the toenail melanoma turns out to be malignant.

Medical studies have shown that this specific type of melanoma, also referred to as acral lentiginous melanoma in the medical community, is much more typical in Asians and other folks with darker skin. Nevertheless, Caucasians are not completely risk-totally free as there have also been a number of instances of toenail melanoma in extremely fair-skinned individuals over the years.