Chemotherapy for Melanoma

Overview
Chemotherapy is a treatment with drugs to eliminate cancer cells. Chemotherapy is usually only considered for advanced melanoma, after other treatments have been tried. It's not commonly the first choice for treatment because newer forms of immunotherapy and targeted drugs are more effective. While chemotherapy can shrink tumors in some cases, its impact on extending the life expectancy of people living with melanoma is unclear.

There are many types of chemotherapy drugs, which may be taken alone or in combination. 

How is it administered?
For melanoma that has metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy is usually given as an infusion into a vein (IV). Some chemotherapy drugs, like temozolomide, are available in oral capsule form.

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) and isolated limb infusion (ILI) are techniques used to treat melanoma confined to an arm or leg. These procedures involve temporarily cutting off the blood flow to a limb and delivering high doses of chemotherapy directly to the tumor area without affecting the rest of the body.

The Hepzato Kit, a treatment specifically for adults with metastatic uveal melanoma which has spread to the liver, is delivered via intraarterial infusion. 

Side effects
Chemotherapy drugs can cause various side effects, depending on the type and dosage and how long you take them. Common side effects include hair loss, mouth sores, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, increased risk of infection due to low white blood cell count, easy bruising or bleeding from a low blood platelet count, and fatigue from a low red blood cell count. These side effects typically stop when chemotherapy treatment is over.

Peripheral neuropathy, a condition characterized by pain, burning, tingling sensations, sensitivity to cold or heat, or weakness in the hands and feet, is another possible side effect. This condition usually improves after stopping treatment, but it can persist for some people.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Chemotherapy for Melanoma Skin Cancer — American Cancer Society

Hepzato Kit Approved for Unresectable Hepatic-Dominant Metastatic Uveal Melanoma — Oncology Nurse Advisor