What Is The Life Expectatncy When Suffering From Melanoma?

Posted on Thu, 5 Jun 2014

Question: My father was diagnosed with Melanoma, how long usually people live with this type of cancer, not sure yet what stage it is we just found out today. He have like 5 lumps on his head and one on his hip. is this to much or to little to be a Identified what stage it is or any kind of hope?

Thank you
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stage 4 malignancy with 7-19% of 5 years survival.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for your query.
Your father is recently diagnosed to have Melanoma. Naturally you are worried. I understand your concern. The survival depends on staging and biopsy is very important.
- The final diagnosis is by incision biopsy of the lesion.
*From your description of the lesion -that it's with multiple lumps in head (5) & one similar lump (Distant) on hip.
* The staging can be further detailed with assessment of Lactate dehydrogenise (LDHtest) which is characteristic of cancer cell.
* Provided that his diagnosis is finalised by histopathology-his chance for 5 years survival can be 7-19 %.
** In this scenario I would advise you to rush him to an Oncologist, get him examined /investigated & follow the treatment plan advised the earliest, for quick diagnosis & prompt treatment increase chance of better survival.
* Various plans of treatment are available according to patient's condition & stage of the disease viz.-
- Excision /Interferon treatment/chemotherapy, immunotherapy/Lentigo maligna therapy/Radiotherapy.
I hope, the answer was informative & helpful to you.
Any followup query, I would be happy to help.
Wish your father quick recovery.
Thank you

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar