It accounts for a small percentage of skin cancer cases, but melanoma
is the most serious form and responsible for the majority of
skin-cancer deaths. When found in its early stages, melanoma is almost
always curable. But when the cancer spreads to lymph nodes and other
organs, the five-year survival rate drops to as low as 16%.
There's hope on the horizon: This year, the FDA approved the first combination drug treatment for certain patients with advanced melanoma. A clinical trial found that patients who used both Mekinist (trametinib) and Tafinlar (dabrafenib) experienced a reduction in size or disappearance of their melanoma for a longer period of time than those who treated with Tafinlar alone. More research is needed to see whether the combination improves survival rates.
Some treatment centers across the USA are offering adoptive cell therapy (ACT), in which doctors take a patient's disease-fighting T-cells, grow them in a lab and transfer the expanded supply of cells back to the patient to help the immune system fight melanoma. And an early study on an experimental drug has shown promising results, helping some patients keep their melanoma in check for several years. (Larger studies are underway.)
Scientists will continue to research new therapies to fight melanoma, but when it comes to reducing your risk, they know what works. Here are three proven strategies - click on link to see what they are:
Read more: Here comes the sun -- Tips to protect your skin from melanoma
There's hope on the horizon: This year, the FDA approved the first combination drug treatment for certain patients with advanced melanoma. A clinical trial found that patients who used both Mekinist (trametinib) and Tafinlar (dabrafenib) experienced a reduction in size or disappearance of their melanoma for a longer period of time than those who treated with Tafinlar alone. More research is needed to see whether the combination improves survival rates.
Some treatment centers across the USA are offering adoptive cell therapy (ACT), in which doctors take a patient's disease-fighting T-cells, grow them in a lab and transfer the expanded supply of cells back to the patient to help the immune system fight melanoma. And an early study on an experimental drug has shown promising results, helping some patients keep their melanoma in check for several years. (Larger studies are underway.)
Scientists will continue to research new therapies to fight melanoma, but when it comes to reducing your risk, they know what works. Here are three proven strategies - click on link to see what they are:
Read more: Here comes the sun -- Tips to protect your skin from melanoma
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