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Melanoma Treatment: Stage IV
Stage four melanoma, although the most life threatening, offers
the most treatment options. Whereas, stage 1 and 2 are cured by simple outpatient surgery, and
stage 3 is watched similarly, stage four treatments are being studied in many clinical trials.
Chemotherapy and Biological Therapies
Although chemotherapy sometimes produces dramatic regression of disseminated melanoma, it only rarely results in long-term survival. Indeed, in a recent review of chemotherapy for cancer in advanced stages, melanoma patients were classed with those who could expect only "minor response—no demonstrable prolongation of survival" from chemotherapy.
New therapies that stimulate the immune system to attack melanoma or that choke off the specialized blood vessels supplying metastases may offer effective therapy in the future. Such biological therapies — for example, anti-CTLA 4, vaccines and immunological hormones called cytokines — offer hope for melanoma treatment. It now seems that in a few patients, disease may actually melt away, after it has been treated with interleukin-2, but this is in less than 10% of patients with much associated toxicity.
Chemotherapy and Biological Therapies
Although chemotherapy sometimes produces dramatic regression of disseminated melanoma, it only rarely results in long-term survival. Indeed, in a recent review of chemotherapy for cancer in advanced stages, melanoma patients were classed with those who could expect only "minor response—no demonstrable prolongation of survival" from chemotherapy.
New therapies that stimulate the immune system to attack melanoma or that choke off the specialized blood vessels supplying metastases may offer effective therapy in the future. Such biological therapies — for example, anti-CTLA 4, vaccines and immunological hormones called cytokines — offer hope for melanoma treatment. It now seems that in a few patients, disease may actually melt away, after it has been treated with interleukin-2, but this is in less than 10% of patients with much associated toxicity.
Another promising therapy is the BRAF studies. Most melanoma
tumors grow because of a genetic mutation in a gene called the BRAF. Many researchers believe
that if BRAF pathway can be blocked, the melanoma would stop growing. There are drugs being
formulated to block BRAF. Low toxicity is also associated with the developments and we can
hope that this year (2009) will bring some promising developments along these lines.
There are many clinical trials to explore and our hotline can help match you to a treatment trial if that is what you choose to do. You can also go to: www.clinicaltrials.gov and put melanoma in the search for a list of trials.
SOURCE: Poole, Catherine, Guerry, DuPont, M.D., Melanoma Prevention Detection and Treatment, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005.
There are many clinical trials to explore and our hotline can help match you to a treatment trial if that is what you choose to do. You can also go to: www.clinicaltrials.gov and put melanoma in the search for a list of trials.
SOURCE: Poole, Catherine, Guerry, DuPont, M.D., Melanoma Prevention Detection and Treatment, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005.
UPDATE: March 10, 2010
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GENERAL DISCLAIMER
The MIF Website is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through this Website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.