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TREATMEN T |
Information provided by the National Cancer Institute, The Skin Cancer Foundation, and the Melanoma Research Foundation. For more detailed information go to: National Cancer Institute - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma The Skin Cancer Foundation - http://www.skincancer.org Melanoma Research Foundation - http://www.melanoma.org Disclaimer: The material contained on this site is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended and should not construed to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should not rely on any information contained on this site as a substitute for medical advice and always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition. |
The following are brief descriptions of the treatments most often used for each stage. (Other treatments may sometimes be appropriate.) |
Stage 0: People with Stage 0 melanoma may have minor surgery to remove the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue. Stage I: People with Stage I melanoma may have surgery to remove the tumor. The surgeon may also remove as much as 2 centimeters (3/4 inch) of tissue around the tumor. To cover the wound, the patient may have skin grafting. Stage II or Stage III: People with Stage II or Stage III melanoma may have surgery to remove the tumor. The surgeon may also remove as much as 3 centimeters (1 1/4 inches) of nearby tissue. Skin grafting may be done to cover the wound. Sometimes the surgeon removes nearby lymph nodes. Stage IV: People with Stage IV melanoma often receive palliative care. The goal of palliative care is to help the patient feel better-physically and emotionally. This type of treatment is intended to control pain and other symptoms and to relieve the side effects of therapy (such as nausea), rather than to extend life. The patient may have one of the following: Surgery to remove lymph nodes that contain cancer cells or to remove tumors that have spread to other areas of the body Radiation therapy, biological therapy, or chemotherapy to relieve symptoms |
The War Against Melanoma Foundation |
1478 Sunflower Street Lewis Center, OH 43035 |
Email: info@thewamfoundation.org |