What are the treatment options for melanoma in Sterling VA?

What is Melanoma?

This is a type of skin cancer that affects men and women of different ages. Early diagnosis will give the patient more treatment options and a higher chance of a good prognosis. 

Who will be treating you?

A dermatologist is the first point of treatment. He may refer you to another medical specialist when needed. A surgical oncologist is a doctor who performs surgery to remove cancer. A medical oncologist is a doctor who uses methods such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy to treat the cancer. A radiation oncologist as his name suggests uses radiation for the same purpose. 

What are the different treatments?

Treatment depends on the stage of cancer and a few other factors. It may include one or more of these methods:

Surgery – Early stage cancer can be treated only with surgery but if one is in a more advanced stage other interventions may be needed. Sometimes a combination of methods work well and this will be determined by your doctor in Sterling VA. Wide excision is removing cancerous cells and some healthy cells outlining the cancer so as to achieve a cure. This will leave a scar. Mohs surgery is more target specific and uses a microscope to avoid removing healthy skin cells. 

Immunotherapy – This uses drugs to stimulate the patient’s immune system to fight the cancer. 

chemotherapy – This is used for advanced melanoma and uses chemicals to attack cancer cells at their initial location and also wherever else they may have spread.

Radiation therapy- High energy rays such as x-rays or particles are used to kill cancer cells. This therapy is useful if cancers treated with surgery return. The process is painless and lasts a few minutes but several sessions will be needed for results. 

Talk to your dermatologist to find out which method can help you or your loved one.

To Learn More About: Skin Cancer     Please Visit: Dermatology Associates of Northern Virginia, Inc.

Tags to this Page: What are the treatment options for melanoma in Sterling VA?, Dermatologist Sterling