WMBB looks into treatment options for Advanced Melanoma

26 October 2011 / News Articles / 0 Comment

Panama City -- Skin Cancer is an epidemic in Florida, but it is treatable, especially if caught early.  One of the most deadly forms of skin cancer is melanoma, but new drugs are offering hope for treatment of melanoma, even at an advanced stage.  In Panama City, WMBB's Jessica Foster took a look at two of the latest treatment options, sitting down to talk them over with dermatologist, Dr. Jon Ward.

You can view the complete story here: Fighting Advanced Skin Cancer or read the story, below.

Panama City, Fla. -  Skin cancer is on the rise, and Florida has the highest per capita rate of skin cancer in the nation.

Some promising new drugs have been introduced to offer hope for patients with advanced stages of melanoma.

Dermatologist Dr. Jon Ward says skin cancer in Florida is an epidemic.  Metastatic melanoma, or skin cancer that has spread, was once difficult to treat effectively, but now there's new hope.

Zelboraf is a drug that targets a specific gene that's present in about 50 percent of melanomas.

"The most promising one is called Zelboraf.  It's a molecule that blocks oncogene.  These are genes that cause tumors to grow," explains Dr. Ward.

Dr. Ward says another drug called Yervoy was just approved in March.  It helps stimulate the immune system to aid in fighting the cancer but has many side effects and takes a while to work.

Dr. Ward says, "As researchers look more and more at the genes that are causing melanoma, they can get more specific with the therapy, and as they get more narrowed in, the side effects go down for chemotherapy drugs and the effectiveness is going to be going up."

The American Cancer Society says warning signs of melanoma include a new spot on the skin, or one that's changing in size, shape or color.

Regular skin exams by a Dermatologist are crucial to early detection to catch the cancer before it spreads.

"I think we'll be seeing a lot of new treatments not just in melanoma, but in other cancers that are based on the idea of looking on the genetic level of why a person is developing a tumor," notes Dr. Ward.

Dr. Ward says we are all at risk for skin cancer, but people most at risk include those with a family history of melanoma and those with fair skin.