Treatments for melanoma skin cancer
If you have melanoma skin cancer, your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your health and specific information about the cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for melanoma skin cancer, your healthcare team will consider:
- the stage of the cancer – whether it is early stage, locoregional or metastatic
- the risk that the cancer will come back (recur)
- where the cancer is located
- how treatments will affect how you look
- your personal preferences (what you want)
Treatments for early stage melanoma skin cancer
The following are treatment options for early stage melanoma skin cancer. The types of treatments given are based on the unique needs of the person with cancer.
Treatments for locoregional melanoma skin cancer
The following are treatment options for locoregional melanoma skin cancer. The types of treatments given are based on the unique needs of the person with cancer.
Treatments for locally recurrent melanoma skin cancer
The following are treatment options for locally recurrent melanoma skin cancer. The types of treatments given are based on the unique needs of the person with cancer.
Treatments for metastatic melanoma skin cancer
The following are treatment options for metastatic melanoma skin cancer. The types of treatments given are based on the unique needs of the person with cancer.
Surgery for melanoma skin cancer
Most people with melanoma skin cancer will have surgery. The type of surgery depends mainly on where the cancer is located and the risk that the cancer will come back (recur).
Immunotherapy for melanoma skin cancer
Some people with melanoma skin cancer have immunotherapy. Immunotherapy helps to strengthen or restore the immune system's ability to fight cancer. Immunotherapy is sometimes called biological therapy or targeted therapy depending on how it works. Learn about types of immunotherapy drugs used for melanoma skin cancer and possible side effects.
Radiation therapy for melanoma skin cancer
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. It is sometimes used to treat melanoma skin cancer. Learn about radiation therapy for melanoma skin cancer and possible side effects.
Chemotherapy for melanoma skin cancer
Chemotherapy uses anticancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is sometimes used to treat melanoma skin cancer.
Targeted therapy for melanoma skin cancer
Some people with melanoma skin cancer have targeted therapy. It uses drugs to target specific molecules (such as proteins) on cancer cells or inside them. These molecules help send signals that tell cells to grow or divide. By targeting these molecules, the drugs stop the growth and spread of cancer cells and limit harm to normal cells. Targeted therapy may also be called molecular targeted therapy.
Follow-up after treatment for melanoma skin cancer
Melanoma behaves differently in each person, and a standard follow-up schedule would not work for everyone. People with melanoma should talk to their doctor about a follow-up plan that suits their individual situation. Follow-up care is often shared among the dermatologist, surgeon, cancer specialists and family doctor.