Patients who have a near-complete remission may have their remaining tumors surgically removed. John Wayne Cancer Institute is focused on improving biochemotherapy success rates and reducing side effects, so that more patients can safely receive this treatment. Cytokine Maintenance Therapy may be recommended for patients who respond to biochemotherapy, but remain at high risk for recurrence. It is hoped that these cells will attack existing tumors and prevent new tumors from developing. Preliminary results are promising.
Quality of life is good, side effects are slight, and some patients' tumors have further shrunk.
When the risk of recurrence is high, radiation may be used to treat melanoma in addition to surgery or biochemotherapy. This is often in areas where the presence of vital structures makes it difficult to resect a tumor with a margin large enough to guarantee the removal of all disease. Examples of this are in the head, neck or near the spinal cord. Counseling and Support seminars, focusing on cancer education, nutrition, stress management, and coping mechanisms, are offered to all patients under John Wayne Cancer Institute's Psychosocial Care Program. A specific two-day program is available to patients with melanoma.