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Our team of compassionate, highly trained urologists provides comprehensive treatment options tailored to your individual needs. We’re here to guide you with expertise, respect, and care — every step of the way.
Texas Oncology is a leader in groundbreaking cancer research and clinical trials in Texas, paving the way for new breakthroughs in cancer care.
Melanoma treatment is not one size fits all. That is why we personalize your treatment plan based on factors like age, medical history, general health, and treatment goals. Treatment for melanoma may involve the following:
Early stage melanomas are highly curable; therefore, surgery may be utilized to treat the disease before it spreads. Most commonly, doctors may need to make wide local excisions (to remove) of the melanoma tumor and some healthy tissue to ensure complete removal and to prevent the cancer from returning. For those with higher risk, early stage melanomas, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may be performed to determine if there has been spread of melanoma to the lymph node tissue.
Using high-energy rays, radiation damages and destroys cancer cells. Radiation is sometimes used in the treatment of melanoma to decrease the risk of melanoma coming back or to kill tumors in a specific place such as the brain.
Systemic therapy involves the use of medications that travel through the bloodstream to reach and affect cancer cells all over the body. It includes treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy, which can be used to treat more advanced melanoma.
Melanoma is thought to be a very immunogenic cancer, which means that the body’s immune system can recognize and attack it. Immunotherapy utilizes drugs, vaccines, and other therapies to activate the body's natural defenders to fight cancer. Several different types of immunotherapies have been approved and are currently used for treatment of melanoma:
These are drugs that help unlock the ability for the immune system to recognize and attack melanoma.
Modified viruses injected into tumors that help enhance the immune system’s response to the melanoma.
Specific white blood cells that are removed from the tumor environment, modified, and reinfused to help the immune system specifically target melanoma tumors.
Drugs engineered to bind to both cancer cells and to the immune system to help generate a targeted immune response against cancer.
These targeted therapies are designed to target melanomas that are driven by specific mutations. Nearly 40 to 50% of cutaneous melanomas will have a BRAF mutation. BRAF inhibitors combined with MEK inhibitors can be used to specifically target these mutations. The following combinations are approved by the FDA and used for the treatment of BRAF-positive melanoma:
Chemotherapy are medications administered through an IV and delivered to the entire body to shrink and kill cancer cells. While chemotherapy is not used frequently for melanoma treatment, it can be an option if immunotherapy or targeted therapy are no longer options.
Trusted expertise
Our specialists trained at leading institutions across the country. They bring their extensive knowledge and experience to each patient.
Personalized attention
With our care team, you receive an individualized evaluation and care plan. We are with you and your loved ones at every step, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
Experts close to home
We make it as easy as possible to access the care you need. With locations across the state, you are likely to find a provider near where you live and work.
