How to Treat Melanoma

Finding out that you have cancer of any kind is bad news. However, if your doctor diagnoses you with melanoma, there are many effective treatments and when found early, melanoma has a surgical cure rate of about 95 percent. Additional therapies and follow-up procedures can also fight against the return of the cancer.

Instructions

• 1

  Consult a doctor if you develop irregular skin lesions or notice moles that are changing shape, or if you have had melanoma in the past and fear it may have returned.

• 2

  Give a sample of the irregular part of the skin for the lab to test, or submit to other tests recommended by your doctor.

• 3

  Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Common treatments include, excision surgery, radiation therapy and lymph node dissection.

• 4

  Undergo surgery if you and your doctor agree this is the right decision. Often, doctors preform excision surgery before moving on to other treatment options. Doctors can ascertain whether or not any cancer still remains in the area after the surgery.

• 5

  Decide if radiation therapy, in which high-energy rays are directed at the parts of the body affected by melanoma, is appropriate for your condition. This kills malignant cancer cells in the body and is often recommended for patients whose melanoma returns.

• 6

  Undergo Lymph Node Dissection if your doctor determines this is the appropriate treatment for you. This involves removing most or all of the lymph nodes in a region and examining them for cancer.