Treatments for melanoma skin cancer
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Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important when planning treatment. When deciding which treatments to offer for melanoma skin cancer, your healthcare team will consider:
- the stage of the cancer (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
- what you prefer or want
Surgery is the main treatment for melanoma. Immunotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and chemotherapy may also be used.
Treatments for early-stage melanoma skin cancer
Early-stage melanoma skin cancer can be treated with surgery, immunotherapy and radiation therapy.
Treatments for locoregional melanoma skin cancer
Locoregional melanoma skin cancer can be treated with surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation therapy.
Treatments for locally recurrent melanoma skin cancer
Locally recurrent melanoma skin cancer can be treated with surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation therapy.
Treatments for metastatic melanoma skin cancer
Metastatic melanoma skin cancer can be treated with immunotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Surgery for melanoma skin cancer
Surgery is a medical procedure to examine, remove or repair tissue. Melanoma skin cancer is usually treated with surgery.
Immunotherapy for melanoma skin cancer
Melanoma skin cancer is sometimes treated with immunotherapy. It helps strengthen the immune system to fight cancer.
Targeted therapy for melanoma skin cancer
Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules on cancer cells or inside them. Melanoma skin cancer is sometimes treated with targeted therapy.
Radiation therapy for melanoma skin cancer
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. Melanoma skin cancer is sometimes treated with radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy for melanoma skin cancer
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Advanced melanoma skin cancer is sometimes treated with chemotherapy.
Follow-up after treatment for melanoma skin cancer
Follow-up is an important part of care for melanoma skin cancer. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.