Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, which gives your skin its color.
In melanoma, they grow uncontrollably.
Any skin area that appears off in color, shape, size, or texture could also indicate melanoma.
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There may be other symptoms, too.
For example, you may experience a change in sensation in a melanoma mole.
It may itch or become painful.
What Does Stage 4 Melanoma Look Like?
Tumor Ulceration
Changes in the skin occur throughout all stages of melanoma.
Tumor Thickness
The thicker the tumor, the greater the chance it will spread.
Melanomas with a tumor thickness of less than 1 millimeter generally don’t spread.
How Is Stage 4 Melanoma Diagnosed?
Skin lesions rarely disappear after the cancer has spread to other body parts.
Occasionally, melanoma itself can form inside organs.
For example, while rare, melanoma can originate from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
LDH is an enzyme responsible for turning sugar into energy.Higher LDH levelsmay indicate a worse prognosis.
Your healthcare team can test biopsy samples to determine whether it is a melanoma or other kind of cancer.
Melanoma has a recurrence rate of around 13.4% in individuals with a previous case of the disease.
How Is Stage 4 Melanoma Treated?
Still, in most cases, it is part of an overall treatment plancombined with immunotherapyand targeted therapy.
Tumors are found and removed from the body where possible.
This treatment uses energy rays to destroy tumors throughout the body or cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapystimulates a person’s immune system to fight off cancer cells.
There are two types: systemic and local immunotherapy.
Systemic immunotherapyfor advanced melanoma puts substances designed to set an immune response in motion into the bloodstream.
Local immunotherapyinvolves injecting substances directly into lesions.
This immunotherapy targets and kills melanoma cells at the source.
Immunotherapy drugs called checkpoint inhibitors help shrink tumors.
They can also be used in people with tumors that have BRAF mutations.
Interleukin-2 may help those with the disease live longer.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy uses medications that target specific molecules within cancer cells.
The medications used for melanoma are BRAF inhibitors and MEK inhibitors.
Chemotherapy
In some instances,chemotherapymay be a course of treatment for those with stage 4 melanoma.
Chemotherapy is typically used only after trying other forms of treatment.
Clinical Trials
Stage 4 melanoma is often hard to treat with currently available options.
Some clinical trials may also offer a combination of new treatment therapies that could benefit people with late-stage disease.
Survival Rates
It is estimated that stage 4 melanoma makes up 4% of all melanoma cases.
Stage 4 melanoma is difficult to treat and has a low survival rate because it has metastasized.
However, some patients with stage 4 melanoma respond well to treatment.
It’s important to remember thatsurvival rates are estimates.
When found earlier,melanoma is easier to treat.
Therefore, early detection can significantly improve melanoma prognosis.
Emotional Support
Emotional support can go a long way when dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
You could also find support in other places, such as throughtherapy.
You may benefit from working with a dietician to help meet your nutritional needs.
Exercise
Light exercise is also an excellent habit during treatment because it can help your recovery.
Exercise increases endurance, enhances immune function, and keeps the body strong.
Getting at least 30 minutes ofmild movementdaily can improve your overall health.
Staying Out of the Sun
Limit exposure to UV light.
Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen if your skin will be exposed, andavoid tanning bedsaltogether.
Summary
Getting an advanced cancer diagnosis is challenging.
Speak to your healthcare provider regularly about your options and ask about the possibility of participating in clinical trials.
Advanced therapies are being developed continuously, and you may be a good fit for a new treatment.
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