Have Melanoma Cancer? Treatment Options To Help You

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that happens when your skin cells produce pigment that can become cancerous. It is important that you get melanoma cancer treated quickly as it is a deadly form of cancer. Fortunately, there are many melanoma cancer treatment  options available to you. Keep reading to learn of six of these treatments to help you decide what would work best for you.

Surgery

Surgery is often the first treatment option for melanoma. The surgeon will remove the cancerous tissue along with some of the surrounding healthy tissue to ensure that all of the cancer cells have been removed. If the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the surgeon may also remove them.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer. It works by boosting the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells. Immunotherapy is typically used for advanced melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body. It can be given as a pill or injection, and side effects may include fatigue, fever, and rash.

Targeted Therapy

Another type of melanoma cancer treatment is known as targeted therapy. This treatment will target the genes that are causing the cancer and then kill the cancer cells. The doctor will choose targeted therapy if your melanoma has already spread to other areas of your body. It is offered as an injection or a pill. You can have a variety of side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and a skin rash.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is another treatment the doctor may suggest. With this, the radiation will kill your cancer cells. It is also used if the melanoma has spread to other areas of your body. You can receive radiation therapy may internally or externally. Side effects may include fatigue, skin changes, and nausea.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is typically used for melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy may be given as a pill or injection, and side effects may include nausea, hair loss, and fatigue.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that test new treatments for cancer. Patients may be able to participate in clinical trials for melanoma if they have exhausted all other treatment options. Clinical trials may offer new treatment options that are not yet available to the general public.

Your doctor will go over these treatment options with you in more detail.