On 18/5, Doctor Nguyen Huu Quang, Deputy Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Aesthetics, and Rehabilitation at the National Hospital of Dermatology, stated that the patient's health had stabilized after surgery. Following this case, experts warn the public not to overlook medical examinations when unusual dark streaks appear on their nails.

Six years ago, the man noticed a dark brown line running along his right thumbnail but dismissed it as a normal mark. Over time, the line grew in size and spread to the surrounding skin. In the recent six months, his nail started to deform, split, become rough, and develop raised bumps.

At the National Hospital of Dermatology, doctors ordered a dermoscopy analysis for the patient. This early skin cancer diagnostic technique yielded suspicious results for malignancy. The medical team then performed a complete biopsy of the lesion, confirming the man had acral lentiginous melanoma, stage 1A (T1AN0M0). Medical professionals consider this a highly dangerous form of cancer.

The patient has undergone surgery to remove the entire tumor.

The nail streak spread to the skin surrounding the nail. Photo: Hospital provided.

Melanoma is the most malignant type of skin cancer, accounting for about 5% of skin cancer patients. It has rapid and silent metastatic potential with no functional symptoms, and is particularly expensive to treat in late stages. The incidence of nail melanoma is about 3% in Europe, but in Asia, it accounts for about 25% of all cutaneous melanomas.

Doctor Quang stated that unlike skin cancer in other areas, nail melanoma is often detected late because it is easily mistaken for hematomas caused by trauma or nail fungus. Patients often wait for the dark mark to "grow out and be cut off," but in reality, cancer cells reside in the nail matrix, so the dark mark will never disappear. Importantly, there are no pain or discomfort symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Without early intervention, melanoma cells can rapidly metastasize to bones, the brain, and internal organs.

Melanoma is one of the most malignant types of skin cancer due to its rapid progression and distant metastasis. Although the disease is highly malignant with a high metastasis rate, early detection and proper treatment protocols lead to good outcomes and a very high five-year survival rate. Everyone should monitor their health and undergo regular check-ups, especially if dark lesions appear on their fingers, toes, palms, or soles; they should consult a specialist doctor.

Le Nga