Advanced melanoma usually refers to melanoma that has spread to another part of the body or recurs following initial treatment, according to CancerHelp UK. Although melanoma represents the deadliest form of skin cancer, improved treatments continue to prolong and improve the quality of life for melanoma patients. The type of treatment may depend on the symptoms and where the cancer has spread in the body.
Considerations
Some patients still have the option of surgery, even when melanoma is in its advanced stages. Doctors use surgical techniques to remove melanomas during the disease's early stage. Chances still exist for removal of melanoma that has spread to other areas of the body. As many as 40 percent of patients who have spreading melanoma tumors removed reach the five-year survival rate, CancerHelp UK notes. However, not everyone becomes a candidate for surgery in the advanced stage of melanoma. Doctors may recommend other options. Other treatments may be used before and after surgery.
Shrinking Tumors
Chemotherapy drugs help many patients with advanced melanoma by shrinking tumors. Dacarbazine and temozolomide interfere with the ability of cancer cells to divide and stop the spread of cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other options include carmustine, lomustine, docetaxel and paclitaxel. Following chemotherapy treatment, the cancers may shrink for several months or disappear and go into remission for much longer. The cancer usually returns.
Immune Boost
Immunotherapy helps boost the immune system to fight cancer cells. Interferon drugs work for many patients in providing benefits. Another immunotherapy drug, interleukin-2, stimulates the growth of white blood cells that fight cancer that has spread. Vaccines target proteins produced by melanoma cells. Vaccine immunotherapy may take months to reach effectiveness, but may have long-lasting results for some patients.
Side Effects
Side effects with chemotherapy drugs may include depression, anemia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, temporary hair loss and weight loss. Allergic reactions and organ damage may also occur. Interferon drugs may have toxic side effects. Side effects for interleukin-2 include heart abnormalities, low blood pressure, infections and shortness of breath. Medication helps relieve side effects.
Promising Treatment
Advances in medical treatment for advanced melanoma continue. A drug called ipilimumab shows promise in survival rates for previously treated advanced melanoma in a study of 676 patients, according to the July 2010 issue of Clinical Oncology News. More than 40 percent of the patients had a one-year survival rate and more than 20 percent had two-year survival rates. The drug had the best results for these types of patients compared to prior studies, Clinical Oncology reports.
