CANCER

For many years skin cancer has been ranked number one among all other types of oncology diseases.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It develops from cells called melanocytes in which pigment melanin is formed. Melanoma looks like a birthmark which grows and changes. It could develop from an existing birthmark, as well as appear on unaffected skin anywhere on the body.

• birthmark’s shape has to be symmetrical with similar borders, it’s not a good sign when one side is well-defined, but the other isn’t clearly visible;
• benign mark has normally one or two colours. If it has more than two colours, such birthmark must be shown to a specialist;
• you should pay attention to birthmarks that increase in their diameter by several millimetres in a couple of months;
• the surface of birthmarks has to be smooth. If it starts to change (when it starts to flake, wet or bleed), you should immediately see a dermatologist.

Melanoma diagnostic methods:

• Digital dermoscopy MoleMax – birthmarks and skin outer surfaces are examined using special equipment which combines special lighting and magnification, and comprises of a unified birthmark mapping system. (from 20 EUR – 1  formation, from 50 EUR – whole body)
• SIAscopy – each formation is examined using a computer and a laser scanner to detect its superficial pigment, deep pigment, as well as blood supply in the tissues and condition of skin connective tissues. This allows the specialists to determine how deep the formation is. (from 17 EUR – 1 formation)
• Histological examination of tissues – indicates if a birthmark is benign or malignant.
• Optical and digital dermoscopy detects the nature of birthmark’s and other pigmented and non-pigmented skin formations. It allows the specialists to determine whether the skin formation is benign or malignant and select the most suitable method to eliminate the skin alteration. (from 15 EUR – 1 formation)
• PET/CT examination – the whole body is checked gaining precise information about the distribution of illness in the body and about malignant transformations in bones, tissues and organs. PET/CT is the most efficient and precise diagnostic method for the patients with high risk of metastases, as well as for detecting relapse phase and early diagnosis of tumour recurrence. Development of melanoma can lead to metastases in the brain, lungs and liver, and its timely detection is extremely important. (from 1085 EUR)

Treatment of melanoma:

• Stradins Hospital Oncology Clinic which has been operating for 60 years has a newly renovated block where the Oncology Clinic with its new equipment is based. It has a high-power linear accelerator with a multileaf collimator and real time image acquisition system. Thus, the hospital together with the outpatient unit and the day-care unit, as well as radiotherapy is located in one place.
• SIGULDA STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY CENTRE uses unique high precision equipment specially designed for radiosurgery called Cyber knife M6 which helps to fight cancer, benign tumours and other illnesses that can be cured using radiosurgery or radiotherapy. Cyber knife is particularly efficient in treating tumours that are located in hard-to-reach places, for example, in the brain and medulla, on the moving parts of the body etc.

If malignant tumour is discovered in due time, it is possible to excise it and fully cure the patient, however, if it has spread into the organs – lungs, kidneys, brain or bones, treatment becomes complicated and chances of full recovery become very small.