What is lentigo maligna?

This disease is one of several subtypes of melanoma, black skin cancer. A lentigo maligna is a type of cancer that is derived from pigment-forming skin cells, the melanocytes, . The special thing about lentigo maligna is that it is not so much the occasional intense exposure to the sun that is the cause, but rather all the light received from the sun throughout one's entire life. This is why lentigo maligna mainly occurs in older people. Most often, this cancer develops on the face.

How dangerous is lentigo maligna?

At the beginning of the disease, lentigo maligna is more benign than other forms of melanoma, because it does not form metastases at the beginning. However, if the lentigo maligna remains undetected for a long time and therefore untreated, metastases can also form in this form, as with any other melanoma.

What are the symptoms of lentigo maligna?

The symptoms of lentigo maligna include the typical changes in the skin, such as flat, light brown to dark brown, blurred and unevenly coloured patches. In the course, they become raised and can be felt with the fingers. Some patients complain of pain or extraordinarily strong itching in the affected areas.

How is lentigo maligna diagnosed?

As with any other form of melanoma, an experienced doctor may think of the possibility of skin cancer at an early stage. If, from the doctor's point of view, it makes sense to take a tissue sample, which will be used in the laboratory for diagnosis, the doctor will remove a piece of the tissue. If the doctor suspects a melanoma during the medical examination, it will be examined in the laboratory with the help of a tissue removal of the affected area and the suspected diagnosis will either be confirmed or rejected again. If it is indeed a melanoma , the procedure varies depending on the overall situation . On the one hand, further examinations may be necessary, which, however, is not the case in every case, and on the other hand, in the vast majority of cases, a so-called resection follows. In this surgical removal, a larger area is removed to make sure that everything has been removed.

How is lentigo maligna treated?

As a rule, treatment is always necessary for lentigo maligna. Without treatment, there is a high risk that the skin cancer will develop to such an extent that it will be fatal for the patient. In this disease, several brown regions appear on the surface of the skin. The affected areas are removed during a surgical procedure . Despite the operation, the affected person is still dependent on radiation . Radiotherapy can be used either to reduce the tumour size, if it cannot be completely removed because of its size , or to control the tumour. But even if metastases have already formed, radiation therapy can be used because it can kill the cancer cells. At the beginning of treatment , the total radiation dose is determined in close cooperation with a radiotherapist. The patient then receives the required dose in several individual radiation treatments. The irradiation itself does not cause any pain, although there is often inflammation and irritation of the affected skin areas after the treatment. Usually there is no reduction in the life expectancy of the affected person due to a lentigo maligna.

What is the aftercare for lentigo maligna?

The follow-up treatment and aftercare are carried out according to a specific follow-up care schedule, in which certain intervals must be observed. The general condition and the tolerance of any medication that may be necessary are always asked about. A physical examination is also carried out, especially palpation of the regional lymph nodes. Depending on the stage of the tumour, blood tests and imaging procedures such as X-ray, CT, MRI or ultrasound may be necessary. These appointments should be meticulously adhered to by the patient, because they serve to prevent a recurrence of the tumour or to detect the spread, i.e. metastasis, in the body at an early stage.

Furthermore, it is indispensable to keep the affected skin areas clean and to avoid excessive touching or skin irritation by wearing clothing. After consultation with the attending physician, a healing ointment with panthenol as the active ingredient may be applied under certain circumstances . This treatment can help rebuild the skin. This treatment can speed up the regeneration of the skin . Cortisone-containing ointments, on the other hand, should not be used because these would cancel out the important and desired inflammatory process that is necessary for the treatment of lentigo maligna .

What is the prognosis for lentigo maligna?

If a lentigo maligna is not treated, an unfavourable course of the disease is to be expected. In the further development, skin cancer will form . This has consequences for the person affected. This has life-threatening consequences for the person affected . If a patient does not receive medical treatment despite an increase in symptoms, the patient will die from the cancer . If a diagnosis is made early, an appropriate treatment plan is drawn up. The first choice is always the complete removal of the skin lesions. Although this surgical procedure is associated with side effects and complications, it is the only possibility to enable the patient to live a symptom-free life again . If the operation goes without incident or disturbance , the lentigo maligna is considered cured. Nevertheless, the affected person must participate in control examinations throughout his or her life in order to be able to react early in the event of a recurrence. It is also recommended that the patient should check himself/herself at short intervals for any swelling of the lymph nodes and, if necessary, also see the family doctor or dermatologist. The prognosis for lentigo maligna is generally very good if the tumour has been completely removed and the follow-up treatment and aftercare are adhered to.

How can lentigo maligna be prevented?

First and foremost, it is important to always apply sufficient sun protection and to protect the skin and scalp from direct sunlight. Furthermore, it is advisable to have regular precautionary examinations at the dermatologist , because he or she can already detect skin changes at a very early stage.