Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that, while relatively uncommon, is nonetheless quite threatening; according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, approximately 76,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2016. Usually appearing as brown or black tumors on the skin, survivability rates are very high if caught early; however, the condition can spread if untreated. This is why the compassionate, caring staff of Lincoln, NE-based Heibel Dermatology offers a number of treatment options to those suffering from this cancer.

What does treatment for melanoma look like? Based on the severity of the case, approaches include:

• Surgery: Best for early-stage cases, the patient is anesthetized and the tumor is cut from the area, which is then stitched up. Follow up involves a biopsy of samples from the affected area to ensure that the cancer cells are gone.
• Immunotherapy: In more advanced cases, immunotherapy is recommended, which involves drug treatments to stimulate the body’s own immune system to combat the cancer. These are usually applied via IV. Though there are some side effects, long-term results are promising.
• Targeted Therapy: The use of a special class of newly developed drugs also can help in more advanced cases; these are able to target and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. These will cause tumors to shrink considerably, making cases more manageable.
• Chemotherapy: Via injection or taken orally, chemotherapy is the use of drugs to manage and combat cancer growth in the skin. This is rarely the first approach taken, especially given the success of other treatments and the more extreme side effects that result, but it’s a time-tested and effective approach for advanced cases.
• Radiation Therapy: This approach employs X-rays to target the cancerous growth in order to treat it. While it is a painless procedure, the side effects are more severe, including fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and loss of appetite. Rarely used as the first approach, it’s reserved for cases that have spread throughout the body.

A qualified dermatologist like Dr. Heibel of Heibel Dermatology will be able to go through your options and recommend the best treatment. If you’d like to learn more about melanoma treatment or this practice’s approaches to other conditions like psoriasis or rosacea, visit their website, or call (402) 488-6969.