Melanoma is one of the most malignant forms of skin cancer because it progresses rapidly and easily metastasizes. However, if detected early and treated according to the correct protocols, outcomes are good and the 5-year survival rate is very high.

Recently, the Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery at the National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology has received many patients seeking examination and treatment due to suspected melanoma. They came to the hospital after seeing news reports on television and social media, noticing black patches or spots on the soles of their feet similar to the skin cancer signs being warned about.

This group of patients consisted mainly of people over 60 years old, along with one case in their early 30s. All of them discovered black spots on the soles of their feet that resembled the descriptions seen in the media.

Patients over 60 reported that the black lesions on the sole of the right foot had appeared for about 3–10 years, gradually increasing in size and darkening over time. The patient in their 30s had a lesion approximately 11 mm in size.

At the hospital, patients were examined and underwent blood tests, ultrasound, dermoscopy — a specialized dermatology test capable of detecting early signs of skin cancer — as well as biopsy. After reviewing all clinical and paraclinical results, doctors confirmed that these cases all had in-situ acral melanoma (Malignant melanoma – MM).

Fortunately, the disease was detected at a very early stage. Patients only needed surgery to remove the entire tumor and reconstruct the defect. After treatment, they will be monitored and re-examined periodically for the next 5 years.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Quang, PhD — Deputy Head of the Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery and Deputy Leader of the Melanoma Specialist Group — stated: “Melanoma is one of the most malignant types of skin cancer because it progresses rapidly and easily metastasizes. Although it is highly aggressive with a high metastasis rate, if detected early and treated following standard protocols, outcomes are good and the 5-year survival rate is very high, especially for in-situ melanoma.”

Each year, the Melanoma Specialist Clinic detects about 25–30 new patients.

Signs of melanoma include black lesions larger than 6 mm that continue to grow in size, have uneven coloration, and may appear anywhere on the skin or mucous membranes. In Vietnamese patients, the disease commonly appears on acral areas such as the hands, feet, and toes.