What is metastatic melanoma?
Melanoma that has metastasized or spread beyond draining lymph nodes is considered stage IV melanoma. The most common sites of spread beyond the skin include the lung, liver and brain.
Metastatic melanoma treatment
Our recommended treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma depend on multiple factors, including the patient’s age and overall health, the locations and number of metastases, how fast the disease is spreading, and the patient’s wishes for treatment.
Treatment options include:
- molecularly targeted therapy
- immunotherapy
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- surgical resection for isolated metastases
- clinical trials
Your cancer treatment should not be “one-size-fits-all.” Through the Melanoma Program, we work with you to create a plan that may include one or a combination of treatments.
Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute
Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.