Treatment for melanoma may include surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, either alone or in combination, or radiation therapy. Your treatment plan generally depends on how early the disease was diagnosed and whether it has spread. Common treatments for melanoma include:
Immunotherapy
Drugs used to stimulate a patient’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. Immunotherapy targets the immune system; it does not directly target the cancer cell. Read more about Immunotherapy here.
Targeted Therapy
Drugs designed to target or “switch off” specific genes and pathways that contribute to melanoma cell growth. Read more about Targeted Therapy here.
Vaccines
Vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Read more about Vaccines here.
Radiation
Radiation is the use of forms of energy rays, such as x-rays and gamma rays, to kill cancer cells. Read more about Radiation Therapy here.