How is stage 3 melanoma (resectable) treated? The treatment of melanoma is changing as researchers learn more about this disease. Understanding all of your treatment options will help you play an active role in your treatment and care.
Surgery For stage 3 melanoma, the primary treatment is surgery. The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor cells in the skin and lymph nodes. This usually includes the procedures that are done while staging the cancer: a wide local excision and a sentinel lymph node biopsy. In the past, if melanoma was found in the sentinel lymph node biopsy, doctors would do a complete lymph node dissection, which is surgery to remove all lymph nodes in a specific area. However, this is rarely done now since it has not been shown to improve survival and may cause long-term problems, like swelling in your arms or legs. Additional treatment Additional treatment you might get is based on things such as tumor thickness and how much melanoma was found in the sentinel lymph node biopsy. Your care team will discuss your treatment options with you.
Neoadjuvant treatment Neoadjuvant treatment is treatment to shrink a tumor before surgery. Doctors may give this to some people if their melanoma involves lymph nodes that are enlarged or can be seen or felt. Research has shown that neoadjuvant treatment can lead to better outcomes due to smaller surgery procedures and a better understanding of how the tumor responds to treatment. It may even improve overall survival, especially when the tumor responds well to the treatment.
If your doctor doesn’t offer neoadjuvant treatment, ask if it may be an option for you.
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