Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream, targeting cancer cells throughout the body. For melanoma, this is typically used when there is a high risk that the melanoma may spread or to control advanced disease, although cure of widespread melanoma is rare. Several combinations of chemotherapy are currently being tested in clinical trials.
Common chemotherapy drugs used for melanoma include dacarbazine (DTIC), carboplatin (Paraplatin), cisplatin (Platinol), melphalan (Alkeran), and temozolamide (Temodar). The medications used to treat cancer are continually being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications you’ve been prescribed, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications. In addition to systemic chemotherapy, there are also techniques that focus the drugs on a specific region. Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) and isolated limb infusion (ILI) are examples of this method.
The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, some nerve damage resulting in alterations in sensation, and hair loss. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished.