0
What else can I help you with?
What malignant melanoma patients may be candidates for treatment with aldesleukin?
Patients with metastatic melanoma who do not respond well to other therapies may be candidates for treatment with aldesleukin.
Which malignant melanoma patients are at high risk of recurrence?
Some patients, such as those with IIb or stage III melanoma, are at high risk for the development of recurrence after treatment.
What is the outcome in malignant melanomaw patients without treatment?
It is important to get treatment for malignant melanoma. Without treatment, the cancer will go deeper into the skin and spread throughout the body, eventually leading to death.
Radiation may help malignant melanoma patients in what stage of the disease?
Radiation therapy is typically used for malignant melanoma patients in later stages of the disease (stage III or IV). It may be used to shrink tumors, relieve symptoms, or treat specific areas of metastasis.
What is the survival rate for stage Ia and I malignant melanoma patients?
Almost all patients survive stage Ia malignant melanoma, and the suvivorship for stage I overall is more than 90%.
What type of treatment is recommended to decrease the rate of relapse of recovering malignant melanoma patients?
In an effort to decrease the rate of relapse, adjuvant therapy may be considered.
How does a family history of malignant melanoma impact the predisposition for malignant melanoma?
A positive family history of one or two first-degree relatives having had melanoma substantially increases the risk on a genetic basis. A family tendency is observed in 8% to 12% of patients.
What role does sun exposure have in non-Caucasian patients who develop malignant melanoma?
Malignant melanoma also affects non-Caucasians--though sun exposure probably does not play a role--at a rate of 10% that of Caucasians.
Why is the recurrence potential high in some malignant melanoma patients?
Although these patients are clinically free of disease after undergoing primary treatment, they are more likely to have some microscopic disease in the body that studies have not yet been able to identify.
What couseling may be appropriate for malignant melanoma patients?
For those with familial tendencies for malignant melanoma, genetic counseling may be appropriate. Psychological counseling may be appropriate for anyone having trouble coping with a potentially fatal disease.
What counseling may be appropriate for malignant melanoma patients?
For those with familial tendencies for malignant melanoma, genetic counseling may be appropriate. Psychological counseling may be appropriate for anyone having trouble coping with a potentially fatal disease.
What is key to successfully treating malignant melanoma?
The key to successful treatment is early diagnosis. Patients identified with localized, thin, small lesions (typified by superficial spreading subtype) nearly always survive.
