How Does Melanoma Spread?

Vaginal melanoma is a malignant tumor. Vaginal melanoma is considered to be melanocytes from the vaginal mucosa. Melanocytes evolved from neural crest cells of the embryo. Melanocytes can be found in the vaginal mucosa of 3% of adult women. It grows quickly, easily spreads blood, and distantly metastasizes early.

Basic Information

English name

melanomaofthevagina

Visiting department

Oncology, Gynecology

Multiple groups

40 to 50 years old, the youngest 22 years old, the largest is 83 years old women

Common locations

vaginal

Common causes

Melanocytes from the vaginal mucosa, which evolved from neural crest cells of the embryo

Common symptoms

Irregular vaginal bleeding and vaginal discharge, lumps, old black blood clots, pain, difficulty urinating, uncomfortable sex, lower abdominal bloating and other symptoms

Causes of vaginal melanoma

Vaginal melanoma is thought to be melanocytes from the vaginal mucosa. Melanocytes evolved from neural crest cells of the embryo. Melanocytes can be found in the vaginal mucosa of 3% of adult women. The migration of melanocytes from the neural crest to the epidermis is lost in the vaginal mucosa. These ectopic melanocytes later became the source of vaginal melanoma development.

Clinical manifestations of vaginal melanoma

Occurred between 40 to 50 years old, the youngest 22 years old, the largest is 83 years old. Irregular vaginal hemorrhage and vaginal secretions may have mass, tumor necrosis, and discharge of melanoma-like tissue, which is mistaken for coagulated old black blood clots. May also have symptoms such as pain, difficulty urinating, unpleasantness, and bloating in the lower abdomen. Examination showed that the vaginal wall had blue-black or brown-black mass protrusions, showing nipples or nodules, irregular shapes, and uneven surfaces. Sometimes the lesions are multiple and ulcers appear on the surface.

The tumor grows rapidly, and it spreads out directly at the vaginal opening, spreads upwards to the cervix and main ligament, and invades the vagina, rectum and bladder inward. Patients with advanced blood circulation can spread liver, lung, brain and other distant organs.

Vaginal melanoma test

1. Tumor marker examination, immunohistochemical examination, histopathological examination, electron microscope observation.

2. X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc., to understand the pelvic involvement, whether there are lung, liver, brain and other common sites of metastasis.

Vaginal melanoma diagnosis

Based on clinical symptoms and vaginal findings, a preliminary diagnosis can be made. However, it is not advisable to use a forceps biopsy to prevent tumor spread. Generally speaking, under the condition of preparing for surgical resection, a small piece of tissue is cut with a sharp knife for frozen sections for pathological examination, and radical surgery is performed immediately after diagnosis.

In addition, a comprehensive examination should be performed during diagnosis, paying attention to the lymph nodes, pelvic conditions, and liver and lung organs.

Vaginal Melanoma Treatment

The treatment of malignant melanoma is mainly surgery. The lesions were located in the upper third of the vagina. Extensive hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed, and pelvic organ resection was performed if necessary. If the tumor invades the lower third of the vagina, extensive hysterectomy and vaginal resection are performed, and vulvar resection and inguinal lymphadenectomy are also performed.

Radiation therapy

Large-dose segmented radiotherapy has begun to gradually be used for the treatment of vaginal melanoma. The patient can tolerate the radiotherapy response well and has obtained encouraging good results.

2. chemotherapy

Vaginal melanoma has a poor chemotherapy effect. Commonly used drugs are chlorenamine, cisplatin, vincristine, hydroxyurea, and cyclohexylnitrosourea (CCNU). They can be used alone or in combination with 2 or 3 drugs.

3. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has a certain effect on guiding melanoma. Commonly used drugs include IFN- and IL-2, but both have certain side effects.