Donate / Fundraise
Lottery
Donate / Fundraise

Other Therapies

Alongside the main melanoma treatments, there are some less common therapies your medical team may consider in specific situations — usually when melanoma is confined to one area, or when other treatments aren’t suitable. This page explains two of them: treatment delivered directly into a limb, and a treatment injected straight into the melanoma.

Isolated limb infusion (ILI) and isolated limb perfusion (ILP)

Other treatments such as isolated limb infusion (ILI) and isolated limb perfusion (ILP) can sometimes be recommended if the melanoma is in one place, for example an arm or a leg. This treatment involves giving chemotherapy through the bloodstream of the affected limb only, so it does not circulate through the rest of your body.52

The procedure is performed by a surgeon and requires a general anaesthetic. Afterwards, patients usually stay in hospital for a few days. Your surgical team will explain exactly what your procedure involves and what to expect from your recovery.

Talimogene laherparepvec (Imlygic® or T-VEC)

Talimogene laherparepvec (Imlygic® or T-VEC) is recommended for certain types of stage 3 or 4 melanoma that have spread, cannot be removed by surgery, and are not suitable for treatment with other immunotherapy options. It is injected directly into the melanoma on the skin — usually once, then again two weeks later, and then every three weeks after that.

Your specialist will explain whether this treatment is suitable for you, how many injections you’re likely to need, and what to expect during and after treatment.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • Why is this treatment being recommended for me?
  • What does the procedure involve, and will I need a general anaesthetic?
  • How long will I need to stay in hospital?
  • How many treatments will I need?
  • What side effects could I experience, and how will they be managed?
  • Are there any long-term side effects?

How these fit into your treatment plan

Treatments like these are generally used in specific circumstances rather than as a first option. Whether they’re right for you depends on the stage of your melanoma and where it is in the body. Our guide to melanoma treatment by stage explains what’s usually considered at each stage, and you can read about the more common approaches on our immunotherapy, targeted therapy and surgery pages.

You’re not facing this alone

If one of these treatments has been suggested for you, it’s natural to have questions. Whatever stage you’re at, our melanoma support team and community are here to help, and you can read real patient stories from others who’ve been through treatment themselves. 💛

Click HERE for a full list of REFERENCES numbers listed throughout the site (nos. 1–58)

Available Treatments

Treatment By Stage

The treatment your team recommends depends heavily on the stage of your melanoma, from stage 0 through to stage 4. Our stage-by-stage guide explains what each one means and the options usually considered at each.
Treatment By Stage

Targeted Therapies

Targeted therapies work on specific genetic changes inside melanoma cells — most commonly in a gene called BRAF — which is why you may be offered a BRAF test. They're an option for people whose melanoma carries these changes.
Targeted Therapies

Surgery for Melanoma

For most people with melanoma, surgery is the first and main treatment — and often the only one needed when the melanoma is found early. It involves removing the melanoma along with a margin of surrounding skin, and sometimes checking nearby lymph nodes.
Surgery for Melanoma
Stage IV Melanoma Treatment Options Decision Guide

Stage IV Melanoma Guide

This booklet is for anyone diagnosed with — or being evaluated for — stage 4 melanoma, the most advanced stage, where the melanoma has spread beyond where it started. It's designed to help you understand and weigh up your treatment options.
Stage IV Melanoma Guide
Second opinion from DR or Melanoma

Second Opinion

It's completely normal to want reassurance about your diagnosis or treatment plan, and you have every right to ask for a second opinion. It won't offend your medical team — it's a recognised part of your care.
Second Opinion
radiotherapy treatment for melanoma

Radiotherapy for Melanoma

Radiotherapy uses carefully targeted radiation to treat melanoma. It isn't used as often as surgery or drug treatments, but it can play a role in certain situations, such as treating melanoma that has spread.
Radiotherapy for Melanoma

Other Therapies

Some less common treatments, such as isolated limb infusion (ILI) and isolated limb perfusion (ILP), may be recommended when melanoma is confined to one area, such as an arm or leg. These deliver treatment directly to the affected limb.
Other Therapies

Learn about BRAF – watch our video

Around half of people diagnosed with melanoma have a change in their cancer cells called a BRAF V600E gene mutation. Watch our short video to understand what BRAF means and why it matters for your treatment options.
Learn about BRAF – watch our video

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy works by helping your own immune system recognise and attack melanoma cells. It's often used for melanoma that has spread or has a higher risk of returning, and several immunotherapy treatments are now available on the NHS.
Immunotherapy
Removal of Melanoma

Excision

Local excision is where the abnormal mole or area of skin is removed and sent to a laboratory for testing. It's a relatively simple operation and is often the first step in diagnosing and treating melanoma.
Excision

Next Steps

Follow up appointments with your GP after Melanoma

FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS

Your follow-up care depends on the stage of the melanoma. Follow-up appointments allow your doctor to monitor for possible recurrence of the melanoma.
FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS
Aftercare advice to follow after Melanoma

MELANOMA AFTER CARE

It’s important to regularly check yourself for any signs of melanoma. As you have already been diagnosed with melanoma, you are at a higher than average risk of having another melanoma in the future.
MELANOMA AFTER CARE

MELANOMA FURTHER TESTS

If the initial biopsy shows melanoma, you may need further tests. Understanding the extent of the melanoma can help your doctor decide the best treatment option for you.
MELANOMA FURTHER TESTS

MELANOMA SKIN BIOPSY

If your doctor does find a suspicious mole, a sample of tissue is removed (a biopsy) for examination under a microscope. The doctor first numbs the skin with an injection of a local anaesthetic
MELANOMA SKIN BIOPSY
Getting diagnosed for Melanoma

GETTING DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA

See your doctor if you develop a new mole or notice a change in an existing mole or area of your skin (including under your nail). Even if you’re worried about what this might be, you shouldn’t delay seeing them. It might not be cancer.
GETTING DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA