Question 1

can chemo drugs do anything in my case (melanoma)?

Accepted Answer

It depends...: Chemotherapy is not the first-line treatment for melanoma, typically surgery would be.  Chemotherapy would be used in addition to surgery in high-risk patients, or in patients with metastatic disease (speed to other organs).  If you happen to be in the unfortunate situation of having metastatic melanoma you might consider one of the 4 trial centers in the us using anti-pd-1 drugs to treat this.

Question 2

is there a drug treatment for melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It has been an exciting year in melanoma.  There were two new melanoma drugs approved last year and one of these agents was able to demonstrate a survival benefit, something which has not been demonstrated in over 20 years.

Question 3

what are some of the non-drug treatments for melanoma?

Accepted Answer

The non drug treatments for Melanoma include::   Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, Surgery.

Question 4

does all melanoma require lymph node biopsy and drug treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The lymph node biopsy is needed to make sure the cancer cells have been removed and/or contained.
The drug treatment is to make sure your health improves. It will make you feel tired but it needs to compete with the growth of cancer cells or prevent its reappearance.

Question 5

do anti-tnf drugs increase your chance for melanoma? i know there are  warnings about non-melanoma skin cancer.

Accepted Answer

Melanoma & Biologics: Using data from more than 13, 000 people with rheumatoid arthritis, dr wolf determined that biologic therapy is associated with increased risk for both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, but not for solid tumors, lymphomas or leukemias. These associations were consistent across different biologic therapies.

Question 6

my mom has stage 3a melanoma. her surgical oncologist recommended high dose alphainterferon in addition to thesurgery. he said the european way of administering it is more tolerable but it takes 5 years. she is in favor of the more tolerable drug. what sh

Accepted Answer

Listen to him.: Stage iii melanoma is advanced, with palpable lymph nodes in its area.  It has a 50% 5 year survival if only one node is involved and a 15-20% 5 year survival if 4 or more nodes are involved.  Survival is improved with interferon-alpha.  Chemotherapy and immunotherapy may also help.  If treatment is done over 5 years, it may be too late.  Drugs can be given for pain, etc.  Get that therapy now.

Question 7

what is melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Skin cancer: Which arises from melanocytes, which are the cells in the skin which give it color.  For this reason, melanomas are often dark colored on the skin (but some are not). Search on the abcd's of melanoma to learn how to spot a melanoma (or see the image).  Melanomas are dangerous because even a small cancer can metastasize.  However, caught early enough, they are curable.

Question 8

is melanoma transmissible?

Accepted Answer

No: Cancer is not a contagious disease.

Question 9

what exactly is a melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Cancer of skin: Melanoma is the worst form of the three common type of skin cancers.  These arise due to genetic susceptibility and sun exposure.  Generally the lesions are pigmented, but not always.  If a mole changes color, becomes bigger, or bleeds it should be checked out.  For more info go to this site. Asap.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/pmh0001853/.

Question 10

is melanoma hereditary? how?

Accepted Answer

Melanoma: I know of no genetic predisposition to melanoma. But behavioral link sun damage.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Medicine for melanoma

A member asked:

Can chemo drugs do anything in my case (melanoma)?

A member asked:

Is there a drug treatment for melanoma?

A member asked:

What are some of the non-drug treatments for melanoma?

A member asked:

Does all melanoma require lymph node biopsy and drug treatment?

A member asked:

Do anti-tnf drugs increase your chance for melanoma? i know there are warnings about non-melanoma skin cancer.

A member asked:

My mom has stage 3a melanoma. her surgical oncologist recommended high dose alphainterferon in addition to thesurgery. he said the european way of administering it is more tolerable but it takes 5 years. she is in favor of the more tolerable drug. what sh

A member asked:

What is melanoma?

A member asked:

Is melanoma transmissible?

A member asked:

What exactly is a melanoma?

A member asked:

Is melanoma hereditary? how?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?