Radiation Therapy for Melanoma

This page discusses the use of radiation therapy for the treatment of melanoma. For a thorough review of radiation therapy, please see the ]]>radiation therapy treatment monograph]]> .

Radiation therapy is the use of penetrating beams of high-energy waves or streams of particles called radiation to treat disease. Radiation therapy destroys the ability of cancer cells to grow and divide.

Radiation generally does not cure melanoma and is usually not used to treat the primary melanoma in the skin. (Usually, the primary melanoma is surgically removed). Sometimes, radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery to help prevent the melanoma from coming back in the skin or lymph nodes, but most patients do not receive radiation therapy after surgery for melanoma. Radiation therapy may help in controlling symptoms if the cancer has spread to the bone, brain, or other parts of the body.

Type of Radiotherapy Used for Melanoma

External beam radiation may be given to the bone or brain if cancer cells have spread to these regions. In external radiation therapy, rays are directed at the tumor from outside the body.

Effectiveness

Radiation is not used to cure melanoma. It primarily serves to relieve symptoms.