The short answer
Early melanoma is usually treated with surgery to remove it, which often cures it. For melanoma that has spread, immunotherapy and targeted therapy have become important and effective treatments.
Surgery to remove the melanoma is the main treatment for early disease and often cures it.
For melanoma that has spread, immunotherapy is an important treatment.
Targeted therapy helps melanomas with certain gene changes, such as BRAF.
Radiation and other treatments are used in some situations.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
How melanoma is treated depends on its stage. Early melanoma is usually removed with surgery, which often cures it. For melanoma that has spread, newer treatments — immunotherapy and targeted therapy — have made a real difference.
Surgery for early melanoma
Early melanoma is treated with surgery to remove it along with a margin of normal skin (a wide local excision). For thin melanomas, this often cures the cancer.
Surgery often cures early melanoma.
Treating advanced melanoma
When melanoma has spread, treatment often includes:
- Immunotherapy — helps the immune system fight the cancer
- Targeted therapy — for melanomas with certain gene changes, such as BRAF
- Radiation and other treatments in some situations
A plan built for you
Your team chooses treatment based on the stage and the features of the melanoma, including gene changes found by testing. Ask about the goals of treatment, side effects, and whether a clinical trial is an option.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸How is early melanoma treated?
Early melanoma is usually treated with surgery to remove it along with a margin of normal skin. For thin melanomas, this often cures the cancer.
▸How is advanced melanoma treated?
Melanoma that has spread is often treated with immunotherapy, which helps the immune system fight the cancer, and targeted therapy for melanomas with certain gene changes.
▸What is targeted therapy for melanoma?
Some melanomas have a change in the BRAF gene. Targeted therapy drugs can attack melanomas with these changes, so the tumor may be tested for them.
▸Is melanoma curable?
Early melanoma is often cured with surgery. Even advanced melanoma is now treated more effectively than in the past, thanks to immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
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