PET/CT Scan for Melanoma Oklahoma

We all know melanin gives our skin the color we have, and it is produced by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. At the same time, melanoma is a skin cancer that starts from these cells. Skin cancer is linked to high exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and melanoma typically begins when the skin’s surface is exposed to radiation. It is said that melanoma can be cured only when detected and treated early. Once it has spread deeper into the skin or other body parts, it becomes more challenging to treat and can be deadly. According to the research, around 30% of melanomas begin on existing moles. However, the rest may start from the normal skin. They are generally most common on the back in males and on the legs in females. It may withdraw from the skin and slowly spread to different body areas such as the liver, brain, lymph nodes, lungs, stomach, and bones.

Melanoma can Become Life Threatening

Melanoma can become life-threatening in six weeks, and if untreated as it can spread to other body parts. It is one of the least common types of skin cancer but the deadliest due to its potential to spread quickly. Honestly, it in no way should be underestimated, and treating a tumor early without allowing it to progress can be lifesaving. According to the research, the five-year survival rate for patients when melanoma is detected early is about 99 percent in the US.

Melanoma Signs

Diagnosis at an early stage for melanoma can improve its prognosis and change the course of treatment. It is essential to notice the early signs like a changing mole; you may spot a new mole, freckle, or age spots, but it looks different from others on the skin, more than one color and growing, dome-shaped growth that feels firm, darker skin, sore that does not heal, etc. Sometimes, they are mistaken for a mole, so it is important to look carefully at the spots on the skin. The patient may or may not likely feel any discomfort or pain. It may probably just be a spot for many of them.

Halo Body Scan Can Help Define Your Prognosis

If you have a mole that looks suspicious but does not have any symptoms, it is better to set a doctor’s appointment followed by a diagnosis and examinations. The diagnosis can be long and overwhelming as sometimes there are no signs or symptoms, and the patient may live over it. PET/CT scan is an advanced technology that can precisely show the tumor location and whether it has spread. Our radiologists will ease into the before, during, and after scan phases. We will clearly state the dos and don’ts before, during, and after the scan. This safe and non-invasive procedure is beneficial in diagnosis and planning treatment. We can present timely results and recommend how to move forward. So, schedule an appointment with Halo Body Scan in Oklahoma at (405) 477-1100 today.

• PET Scan
• CT Scan
• Melanoma Screening