Melanoma Treatment In Indore

Dr. Bansal's Skin Clinic, Indore

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it occurs in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, as well as the color of hair and eyes.

When these cells grow uncontrollably, they form malignant tumors that are able to metastasize to other parts of the body, early treatment should be avoided.

Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body; however, it most often appears on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, arms, back, and legs.

It can also develop on non–non-sun-exposed areas, like under the nails, on the soles of the feet, or inside the mouth.

Basic Description / Symptoms

Early detection is the key — check your moles and skin spots for changes with the ABCDE rule:

Letter Meaning Description

A Asymmetry. One-half of the mole looks different from the other

B\tBorder\tIrregular, blurred, or jagged edges

c Color Irregular color — hues of brown, black, red, white, or blue

D Diameter Larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)

E Evolving Changes in size, shape, or color over time

Other warning signs:

A mole that itches, bleeds, or becomes crusty

A new dark spot that looks different from other moles

a painful or raised lesion on the skin

Treatment of Melanoma

Treatment depends on the stage -the extent of spread--and location of the cancer.

1. Surgical Treatment

Wide local excision: This is the main treatment for early-stage melanoma and involves the removal of the cancer and some surrounding normal tissue.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy - to check if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

2. Immunotherapy

It enhances the body's immune system to fight off cancer cells.

Common drugs:

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)

Nivolumab (Opdivo)

Ipilimumab (Yervoy)

Used for advanced or metastatic melanoma.

3. Targeted Therapy

Used when melanoma cells have specific gene mutations, such as BRAF or MEK.

Drugs include:

Vemurafenib, Dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitors)

Trametinib, Cobimetinib (MEK inhibitors)

These medications block abnormal signals responsible for cancerous cell growth.

4. Chemotherapy

Used less often today, but may be given if other treatments fail.

Drugs like dacarbazine and temozolomide can prevent the spread of cancer.

5. Radiation Therapy

This is used to kill cancer cells or reduce tumor size, especially when melanoma spreads to the brain or bones.

Prevention and Self-Care

Most melanomas can be prevented or found in their early stages with the right skin care behaviors.

☀️ Protect from Sun Exposure

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily.

Apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours and after swimming or sweating.

Avoid tanning beds and excessive sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses.

Skin Monitoring

Check your skin every month for new moles or changes in old moles.

See a dermatologist each year for a full-body skin exam.

Report any changes, such as itching, bleeding, or growth of moles, immediately.

❤️ Healthy Lifestyle

Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoid smoking and alcohol. Manage your stress, support your immune system through proper sleep and exercise. ⚠️ Important Notes: Early detection = high survival rate, caught before it spreads. Advanced melanoma can spread to internal organs, such as the lungs, liver, or brain. The best prevention strategies are regular skin checks and sun safety.