At Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, we adopt a multidisciplinary approach to care, involving specialists across various disciplines. These experts participate in cancer tumor boards, where they evaluate and discuss each case in detail. This collaborative effort ensures that every patient receives a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan, leveraging the collective expertise of surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals.
The use of chemotherapy for melanoma is determined based on several factors, including the stage and location of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, and previous treatments. We’re here to support you and help you navigate this challenging time.
What is chemotherapy for melanoma?
Chemotherapy is a treatment option for melanoma that involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs can be administered intravenously or orally, and they travel through the bloodstream to target cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is typically used for advanced melanoma, especially when other treatments have not been effective. While it can help shrink tumors, its ability to extend survival is less clear compared to newer treatments, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
How does chemotherapy work with other treatments?
Chemotherapy can be used with other treatments like surgery and radiation therapy. For instance, surgery is often the first line of treatment for melanoma, aiming to remove the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue. Chemotherapy may be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. Radiation therapy can also be combined with chemotherapy, particularly in cases where the melanoma has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be entirely removed by surgery. This combination can enhance the effectiveness of both treatments by targeting cancer cells at various stages of their life cycle.
Metastatic Melanoma
In addressing metastatic melanoma, chemotherapy plays a crucial role. Metastatic melanoma refers to melanoma that has spread beyond the original site to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy can help manage symptoms and control the spread of the disease in later stages while treatments such as surgery (wide local excision) or superficial radiation are common for early stage melanoma.
Drugs like dacarbazine and temozolomide are commonly used for metastatic melanoma. However, due to the aggressive nature of metastatic melanoma, chemotherapy is often used alongside other treatments to improve outcomes.
How does chemotherapy differ from other medical treatments?
Chemotherapy differs significantly from targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Targeted therapy focuses on specific genetic mutations or proteins that drive the growth of cancer. By targeting these cells, it can effectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation with fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, boosts the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. This approach can lead to long-term remission and is particularly effective for melanoma. Unlike chemotherapy, which affects both cancerous and healthy rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy and immunotherapy offer more precise and personalized treatment options.
Contact the Saint John’s Health Center
The experts at Saint John’s Health Center and researchers of the Saint John’s Cancer Institute are ready to support you and help you navigate through this challenging time. Whether you are looking for an expert second opinion, a better understanding of your health situation, or access to personalized clinical trials, please reach out to us by calling 310-829-8317 or using our melanoma contact form. We are committed to providing you with the best possible care and outcomes.
If you have questions regarding chemotherapy treatment for melanoma, please call today or click here to schedule an appointment or for an expert second opinion.
