Biological therapy tries to get the body to fight cancer. It uses materials made by the body or made in a laboratory to boost, direct, or restore the body's natural defenses against disease. Clinical trials are being done to find biological therapies that are effective. Treatment by stage Treatment of melanoma depends on the type of the disease, the stage of disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment may be considered because of its effectiveness in patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial may be considered.
Surgery is currently the only standard treatment of melanoma.
Clinical trials are designed to find better ways to treat cancer patients. Clinical trials are ongoing in most parts of the country for most stages of melanoma. Minor surgery to remove all of the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue. Surgery to remove all of the tumor, including as much as 2 centimeters of the surrounding tissue. Skin grafting may be done to cover the wound.