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Melanoma

    Posted: 03/31/2003



Introduction






What Is Melanoma?






The Skin






Melanocytes and Moles






Understanding Cancer






Melanoma






Melanoma: Who’s at Risk?






Signs and Symptoms






Dysplastic Nevi






Diagnosis






Staging






Stages of Melanoma






Treatment






Getting a Second Opinion






Preparing for Treatment






Methods of Treatment






Surgery






Chemotherapy






Biological Therapy






Radiation Therapy






Treatment Choices by Stage






Recurrent Melanoma






Side Effects of Treatment






Surgery






Chemotherapy






Biological Therapy






Radiation Therapy






Nutrition






Followup Care






Support for People with Melanoma






The Promise of Cancer Research






How To Do a Skin Self-Exam






National Cancer Institute Booklets






National Cancer Institute Information Resources



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Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. A large machine directs radiation at the body. The patient usually has treatment at a hospital or clinic, five days a week for several weeks. Radiation therapy may be used to help control melanoma that has spread to the brain, bones, and other parts of the body. It may shrink the tumor and relieve symptoms.

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