Advanced Treatment Approaches for Metastatic Melanoma

Advanced Treatment Options for Metastatic Melanoma

Managing metastatic melanoma poses significant challenges, but several effective options are available. The choice of therapy depends on the extent of cancer spread and the patient’s overall health. Treatments aim to reduce tumor size or halt progression, preventing further dissemination.

Common treatments include radiation therapy and chemotherapy, with ongoing development of combination therapies. Newer medications with fewer side effects are also being introduced to improve patient comfort.

Possible treatment options are:

Surgical Intervention
Surgeons may remove affected organs or tumor tissue, especially in localized cases, to prolong survival and reduce symptoms.

Chemotherapy
This traditional approach involves drugs administered via injections or topical creams to inhibit rapid cancer cell growth. While effective, healthy cells can also be affected, leading to side effects like hair loss and fatigue.

Radiation Therapy
Using high-energy X-rays, radiation destroys cancer cells. External radiation is most common, while internal radiotherapy is used for tumors in genital areas, where radioactive substances are placed directly into or near the tumor.

Immunotherapy
This cutting-edge treatment boosts the immune system to better fight cancer. Delivered intravenously or in high doses, immunotherapy can shrink tumors and extend survival, though it may cause significant side effects.