Melanoma

Melanoma

Treatment Options

References

1. 1. National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/Patient/page5

Stage 0 (Melanoma in Situ)

Treatment of stage 0 is usually surgery to remove the area of abnormal cells and a small amount of normal tissue around it.

Stage I Melanoma

Treatment of stage I melanoma may include the following:

• Surgery to remove the tumor and some of the normal tissue around it.
• A clinical trial of surgery to remove the tumor and some of the normal tissue around it, with or without lymph node mapping and selective lymphadenectomy.
• A clinical trial of new techniques to detect cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
• A clinical trial of lymphadenectomy with or without adjuvant therapy.

Stage II Melanoma

Treatment of stage II melanoma may include the following:

• Surgery to remove the tumor and some of the normal tissue around it, followed by removal of nearby lymph nodes.
• Lymph node mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy, followed by surgery to remove the tumor and some of the normal tissue around it. If cancer is found in the sentinel lymph node, a second surgical procedure can be performed to remove additional nearby lymph nodes.
• Surgery followed by high-dose biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial of adjuvant chemotherapy and/or biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial of new techniques to detect cancer cells in the lymph nodes.

Stage III Melanoma

Treatment of stage III melanoma may include the following:

• Surgery to remove the tumor and some of the normal tissue around it.
• Surgery to remove the tumor with skin grafting to cover the wound caused by surgery.
• Surgery followed by biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy and/or biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial of biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial comparing surgery alone to surgery with biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial of chemoimmunotherapy or biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial of hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion using chemotherapy and biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial of biologic therapy and radiation therapy.

Stage IV Melanoma

Treatment of stage IV melanoma may include the following:

• Surgery or radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Chemotherapy and/or biologic therapy.
• A clinical trial of new chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and/or targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies, or vaccine therapy.
• A clinical trial of radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• A clinical trial of surgery to remove all known cancer.

Medical Disclaimer
This website is designed to provide additional information to patients and their loved ones when faced with intimidating diagnoses. A physician or medical professional should be consulted before making any health related decisions. We serve as a portal for information so that an informed and efficient decision can be concluded by all parties involved.  The creators of this site are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by the content of this website. The purpose of the mAss Kickers is to empower people with knowledge, not to specifically advise people how to address each unique situation.

Online Resources

Support Forums/Groups

American Melanoma Foundation

Melanoma Support & Education Foundation

Northern California Melanoma Center

Melanoma Research Foundation

Melanoma mAss Kickers

Miss Melanoma

The Melanoma Blog

Tiffany’s Melanoma Foundation Blog

Courtney Clark