For malignant melanoma, the primary growth must be adequately excised, and it may be necessary to remove nearby lymph nodes. Removal and microscopic examination of all suspicious moles are essential. Advanced cases of melanoma are treated according to the characteristics of the case. Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, or moving tongue or jaws are often late changes. Dentists and primary care physicians have the opportunity, during regular checkups, to see abnormal tissue changes and to detect cancer at an early, curable stage.
Principal methods are radiation therapy and surgery.
Chemotherapy is being studied as an adjunct to surgery in advanced disease. Fatigue, paleness, weight loss, repeated infections, bruising easily, and nosebleeds or other hemorrhages. In children, these symptoms can appear suddenly. Chronic leukemia can progress slowly and with few symptoms. Causes of most cases are unknown.