Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatments
Melanoma skin cancer begins in the cells of the skin that produce pigment, according to the Cancer Center website. If it is not treated properly and early, this type of cancer can infect the entire body and eventually be fatal. As a result, it is extremely important that melanoma skin cancer be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
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Significance: Signs of Melanoma Skin Cancer
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When a person has melanoma skin cancer, ahe may experience "change in the size, shape or color of a mole, oozing or bleeding from a mole, or a mole that feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen or tender to the touch," according to Cancer Center. New moles may appear, men may experience changes in moles between the shoulders and hips, and women may experience changes in moles on the arms and the legs. These are all signs of melanoma skin cancer. Once melanoma skin cancer has been diagnosed, it must be treated immediately to prevent it from spreading.
Time Frame: Treating Melanoma Skin Cancer at Stage Zero
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According to the American Cancer Society, the severity of melanoma skin cancer treatment depends on the stage at which cancer is diagnosed. At stage zero, melanoma skin cancer is still contained in the epidermis and has not spread. As a result, the melanoma is usually surgically removed at this stage or cream that contains imiquimod is applied to the melanoma for a period of three months.
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Stage 1 and 2 :Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment
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When skin cancer is diagnosed at Stage 1, the melanoma is removed surgically along with a small portion of skin that surrounds the melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society. Lymph nodes may also be dissected to increase the rate of survival for skin cancer patients. In Stage 2, melanoma tends to spread to the lymph nodes that surround the melanoma. As a result, these patients may have to undergo a lymph node biopsy, as well as remove the melanoma and the skin that surrounds it.
Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatments at Stage Three
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According to the American Cancer Society, Stage 3 of melanoma skin cancer requires surgical treatment to remove all melanomas. Dissection of the lymph nodes is required as well. Limbs infected with melanomas may also have to be infused with a chemotherapy drug.
Treating Stage Four
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At Stage 4, melanomas can be difficult to treat since they have already spread throughout the body at this stage. These melanomas must be removed by surgery, and some internal organs may have to be removed, depending on if the melanomas have spread there as well. According to the American Cancer Society, chemotherapy is recommended for melanoma skin cancer patients at this stage.
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