Melanoma refers to cancers that originate in the skin. Stage III melanoma is melanoma that has spread to the lymph nodes, but not to distant parts of the body. There are 3 types of stage III melanoma: stage IIIA, B and C. The stage is determined by the extent of lymph nodes involved, whether the metastases to the lymph nodes is micrometastes (can only be seen under a microscope) or macrometastes (can be felt) and whether the original tumor is ulcerated (the outer epidermis layer is intact).
Surgery
Surgery is appropriate when the cancer is localized to a small area of skin and/or there are few tumors. The procedure is called a wide area excision, and involves removal of the tumor as well as a portion of skin and tissue surrounding the tumor. The amount of skin and tissue that has to be removed is determined by how wide and deep the original tumor is.
Therapeutic Lymph Node Dissection
Therapeutic Lymph Node Dissection (TNLD) refers to a surgical procedure to remove lymph nodes that have cancer cells present. This is appropriate for stage III melanoma, especially if there is macrometastases. This surgery has proven effective at slowing or stopping the spread of cancer throughout the lymph node system and/or to other parts of the body, and has improved the prognosis for patients with stage III melanoma.
Adjuvant Therapy
Adjuvant therapy refers to therapies that are performed in conjunction with surgery to remove cancer. Most adjuvant therapies, like chemotherapy and radiation, are not useful in treating or managing stage III melanoma. The most effective adjuvant therapy involves the use of a drug called Interferon Alfa-2b. Interferons are natural antibodies that our bodies produce to fight infection and disease. Alfa-2b is a form of these natural antibodies that can be manufactured and administered as a medicine. According to the Melanoma Center, this manufactured Alfa-2b is the only adjuvant therapy with signficant success at treating and managing stage III melanoma.
Tags: stage melanoma, lymph nodes, adjuvant therapy, antibodies that, Lymph Node, Lymph Node Dissection, managing stage