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Whats new in melanoma

MELANOMA

see main article skin cancer

Treatment of melanoma still remains removal of the mole with other treatments being added for maintaining cure to prevent recurrences.

Dacarbarine is most frequently used.  The response rate ranges from 10% to 20%.  Temozolomide is a similar drug and is given orally.  About 20% response rates have been recorded.

Fotemustine has a similar response rate.

Combination of drugs are also being used in trials.

In some people the melanomas resolve on their own.  Based on this specific vaccines have been developed.  Each cell in our body has specific unique features called antigens.  The nasty melanoma cancer cells has also these antigens. 

Based on these antigens, vaccines are being developed to attack cancer cells.

 The expansion of knowledge in cell markers will result in newer techniques to fight cancer.