DR. GEORGIA KOULERMOU: EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND SYSTEMATIC MONITORING ARE VERY IMPORTANT
IT CONCERNS ONE OF THE GREATEST MALIGNANCIES THAT AFFECT HUMANS IF NOT DIAGNOSED IN THE EARLY STAGES. EARLY DIAGNOSIS LEADS TO A CURE, BUT IF THE DIAGNOSIS IS DELAYED, WE CAN HAVE A FATAL OUTCOME FOR THE PATIENT.
“What is important is to monitor our moles, to notice any change in colour and character and, if this happens, to contact the doctor.”
The view that melanoma can be prevented or even diagnosed at an early stage by regular monitoring of the moles we have on our bodies, whether these moles accompany us from the moment of our birth or appear later in life, Dr Georgia Koulermou, Plastic Surgeon, former Director of the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Nicosia General Hospital and founder of the Moles and Melanoma Clinic of the General Hospital of Nicosia, stresses in an interview with the Sunday newspaper “Simerini”. At the same time, she stresses the need for continuous monitoring of moles, as well as the importance of early diagnosis, indicating that “if the diagnosis is delayed, we can have a fatal outcome for the patient, due to the metastases that it gives”.
The concepts
What is melanoma and skin cancer? Are they two different concepts or do they both refer to the same thing?
Melanoma and skin cancer are two skin-related malignancies. Because the name of each has to do with its histological origin, which is different, they are not the same histological entities and refer to different things.
How can it be prevented?
Melanoma can be prevented or even diagnosed at an early stage by regular monitoring of the moles we have on our body, whether these moles accompany us from the moment of our birth or appear later in life. Monitoring these moles at regular intervals, e.g. every six months, will show us a change in their behaviour in time for us to consult a doctor. What is important is that the monitoring is done by a doctor who has experience in the field of melanoma.
Treatment and early diagnosis
Once presented, how can melanoma be treated?
The treatment of melanoma is mainly surgical. Wide excision of the lesion and, depending on the staging, removal of the sentinel lymph node or even lymph node cleansing is the indicated treatment at least initially.
How important is early diagnosis and what are the implications for our health?
Melanoma is one of the biggest malignancies that affect humans if not diagnosed in early stages. Its early diagnosis leads to cure, whereas if the diagnosis is delayed, it can be fatal for the patient due to the metastases it gives. Unfortunately melanoma is not sensitive to chemotherapy for advanced stages of the disease.
The spots
What are moles and what should we know about moles on our skin?
Moles appear on our body and depending on their type, they can be moles that will never cause a problem and therefore do not need to be removed (unless they are aesthetically disturbing) and there is also the other category of moles that can develop into melanoma, or they can be precursors of melanoma from the beginning. What is important is to keep an eye on your moles, notice any change in colour and character and if this happens, contact your doctor. Changes in the behaviour of the mole that should alarm us are an increase or decrease in the size of the mole, a change in colour i.e. an increase in pigmentation or even discolouration, itching, bleeding of the mole and generally any different behaviour.
It is noted that the interview is part of the European Melanoma Day and as a follow-up to the event held last Friday at Frederick University, on the topic: “Melanoma and Skin Cancer: The Value of Prevention and Early Diagnosis”. Alongside the event was an exhibition of artwork by Voula Kokkinou entitled “Art versus Melanoma”, inspired by Dr. Georgia Koulermou’s book “Clinical Differential Diagnosis of Cutaneous Melanoma”.
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