Treatment and Prevention
If you spot melanoma and get it removed early, before it penetrates under
the skin, your chance of a cure is close to 100%.
If the melanoma has spread horizontally (that is, over the surface of the skin),
the prognosis is still very good so long as it hasn't penetrated deep under
the skin. There are different types of melanoma, but the type is less important
to your prospects than the thickness and the degree of penetration. If the cancer
has invaded other tissues in the body (called metastasis), prompt treatment
is vital.
The answer to melanoma treatment is early surgery to remove it. This
can be quite simple and painless in the early stages, not much worse than removing
a wart. If the cancer has spread across the skin, surgery might leave a mark.
Even fairly deep melanoma is potentially quite curable if it hasn't affected
other organs. Recent research suggests that the drug interferon* can help
prevent recurrence of cancer after removal of early stage melanoma.
While radiation and chemotherapy don't generally cure advanced melanoma, they
can ease symptoms.
Preventing melanoma is all about avoiding too much sun. Sunburns are
worst, but even excessive tanning increases the risk of melanoma dramatically.
You should always wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or stronger) in bright sunshine. Remember
that UV light can penetrate clouds. Above all, protect kids from the sun. Many
kids develop a deep tan every summer and their parents assume that if they're
not sunburned there's no problem. Children's skin is always more vulnerable,
and these tans add up to a higher risk of skin cancer in later life. Kids should
wear t-shirts or long-sleeved shirts and hats on bright summer days. Any exposed
skin should be protected with sunscreen. If possible, stay out of the sun when
the ultraviolet exposure is at its maximum (i.e., between 11 AM and 2 PM).
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.