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Best Treatment for Melanoma

There are a number of treatment options available for melanoma. There is no one best treatment for melanoma since the best treatment for melanoma is Dependant on the stage of melanoma a patient is experiencing. Depending on the conditions of the melanoma the doctor will make a decision on the best treatment for melanoma. It is important to also note that the best treatment for melanoma may vary even based on the person and the circumstances surrounding the condition.

 

The first stage of melanoma occurs when the melanoma cancer cells begin to take over melanocyte cells resulting in an increased growth of these cells. This is the stage where the absolute best treatment for melanoma is available. At this stage of melanoma the best treatment for melanoma would be a minor surgery. If detected at this stage treatment is successful in roughly ninety five percent of people. The surgery removes the affected skin completely and in many cases a minor skin graft is used to minimize scarring. The surrounding tissue is then tested to ensure that it is not afflicted as well. This is considered by most to be the best treatment for melanoma. Unfortunately it is only the best treatment for melanoma if it is used before melanoma can progress beyond stage one.


The second stage is when the melanoma has reached a thickness of over one millimeter this is considered to be the second stage of melanoma. At this point the best treatment for melanoma is a slightly larger surgery in which a thicker portion of skin is removed and interferon treatment is used to weaken any cancer left over so the body’s own immune system can fight it. Stage two of melanoma has a forty to eighty five percent survival rate.


The third stage of melanoma is when it begins to affect the lymph nodes. At this point the best treatment for melanoma is a combination of three treatments. An invasive surgery is used to remove the tumor from the lymph nodes and any skin affected by the condition. Interferon treatment and chemotherapy are used together in an attempt to kill the cancer. Survival rate at this stage is twenty five to sixty percent.


The fourth and final stage of melanoma is where it begins to spread to the internal organs. Which organs are hit varies but treatment is fairly standard. The best treatment for melanoma at this stage is fairly invasive. A surgeon will attempt to remove any tumors which have formed on internal organs. Surgery will be used to remove tumors from the skin and lymph nodes. The patient will then be subjected to heavy doses of chemotherapy along with interferon treatment. The survival rate at this stage is between five and fifteen percent.




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Melanoma Skin Cancer Advice: "How I survived melanoma skin cancer and how YOU can too!"

 

7 survivors of Melanoma tell their inspiring tales of how they beat Melanoma even at Stage 4....and how you can too...