Tag Archives: immunotherapy for melanoma

What to Know First About Your Treatment Choices for Melanoma

on April 15, 2010 in Skin Cancer - Melanoma

Melanoma can be treated. The choices you have for treatment depend upon these factors. The size and location of your tumor The extent of the disease, called the stage Your age and general health Your personal needs Treatment may cure or control the melanoma. It can also improve your quality of life by controlling symptoms [...]

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What to Expect After Immunotherapy for Melanoma

on April 12, 2010 in Skin Cancer - Melanoma

Side effects can be severe, but usually improve after the treatment is finished. Potential Side Effects of Cytokine Therapy Here are some of the more common side effects of cytokine therapy. Fever Chills Aches Depression Low blood cell counts Fatigue (severe tiredness) Stomach upset Vomiting Diarrhea In high doses, cytokines can cause fluid to build [...]

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Making the Decision to Have Immunotherapy for Melanoma

on April 12, 2010 in Skin Cancer - Melanoma

Your doctor may suggest immunotherapy if one of these cases applies to you. You have advanced melanoma. In this case, the goal of immunotherapy is to help shrink the tumor. You may have this treatment along with chemotherapy. Or your doctor may suggest a clinical trial of immunotherapy to help you. You have had surgery to [...]

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What to Know About Immunotherapy for Melanoma

on April 12, 2010 in Skin Cancer - Melanoma

Immunotherapy is a form of biological therapy. Immunotherapy uses substances that boost your body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Sometimes these substances are called biologicals. Then, your immune cells better recognize and attack the cancer cells. Doctors use more than one type of substance to treat melanoma. You may take immunotherapy after surgery to [...]

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The Types of Immunotherapy for Melanoma

on April 12, 2010 in Skin Cancer - Melanoma

Cytokine Therapy Interferon-alpha Interleukin-2 Doctors use them to boost immunity in a general way. For example, interleukin-2 is an agent that prompts the growth of certain white blood cells. You take interleukin-2 in the hospital as an inpatient. Vaccine Therapy No vaccine so far has been proven effective at treating melanoma. They are considered experimental. [...]

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