Your Melanoma Diagnosis And Treatment Option Resource
Welcome. Is your Melanoma diagnosis overwhelming? XpertPatient is an award-winning site that has been purposely designed by doctors, nurses & patients to help you or your loved one achieve the best treatment results possible. XpertPatient offers information not available anywhere else including the ability to compare your FDA-approved Melanoma treatment options side-by-side, so you can choose the best option for you. Melanoma ICD 10 Code is C43.9.
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Get Started NowWhat Is Melanoma and How Is It Diagnosed?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing the pigment melanin. It is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer but can be highly treatable if detected early. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of physical exams, imaging tests, and biopsy procedures:
Skin Examination – A thorough skin examination by a dermatologist is the first step in diagnosing melanoma. The doctor will look for abnormal moles or skin lesions that may show asymmetry, irregular borders, multiple colors, or increasing size.
Dermatoscopy – A dermatoscopy is a non-invasive imaging technique used to examine the surface of the skin in greater detail. It helps identify suspicious moles or lesions that may require further investigation.
Skin Biopsy – If melanoma is suspected, a skin biopsy is performed to remove a tissue sample from the suspicious area. The sample is then sent to a lab for examination under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy – If melanoma is confirmed, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may be done to determine whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
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Melanoma Diagnosis and Starting Treatment
A melanoma diagnosis can be frightening, but early detection is crucial for effective treatment. Once melanoma is confirmed, the treatment plan will depend on the stage and location of the cancer. Options may include surgical excision, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy. The earlier melanoma is diagnosed, the higher the likelihood of successful treatment.
For those newly diagnosed, seeking support from organizations like the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) can provide valuable resources, including information on clinical trials, emotional support, and guidance for navigating the treatment process.
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Melanoma Survival Rate
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Melanoma Survival Rate By Melanoma Stage
The 5-year survival rate for melanoma varies based on the stage at diagnosis:
- Stage 0 Melanoma Survival Rate is 99%.
- Stage 1 Melanoma Survival Rate is 90-95%.
- Stage 2 Melanoma Survival Rate is 80-90%.
- Stage 3 Melanoma Survival Rate is 50-70%.
- Stage 4 Melanoma Survival Rate is 15-30%.
These survival rates are general estimates based on large-scale studies, and individual survival can vary depending on factors such as the patient’s overall health and response to treatment.
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A Cancer Diagnosis Is A Rollercoaster
Coping with Cancer
My Treatment Team
My Treatment Team
- MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST: A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy.
- SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST: Doctor who uses surgery to remove tumors.
- RADIATION ONCOLOGIST: Doctor who prescribes radiation therapy (beams of high-energy radiation, or radioactive seed implants) to shrink or eliminate tumors
- NURSE: Seen more then anyone, your nurses will provide medical care, answer questions, offer hope and suggest ways to talk with family and friends about your feelings.
- PATHOLOGIST: Doctor who has special training in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
- ONCOLOGY NURSE: Specializes in treating and caring for people who have cancer.
- PATIENT NAVIGATOR: Patient or health educators help you and your family learn more about your cancer by finding information that fits your needs
We Know You’re Tired but Keep Exercising!
Exercise Benefits Cancer Patients
Kathryn Schmitz,
Ph.D., M.P.H.,
Penn State College
of Medicine
10 Must-Know Terms
10 Must-Know Terms
- BIOPSY: Removal & examination of cells or tissue to determine if you have cancer or the amount of cancer in your body.
- BIOMARKER TESTING: A way to look for genes, proteins, and/or substances that can provide information about your specific cancer. This testing will help you & your dr. choose the best cancer treatment for you.
- LOCALIZED CANCER: Your cancer is still only found “locally” or within the organ where the cancer began.
- METASTATIC CANCER: Your cancer has spread from the place where it started to other places in your body.
- RADIATION THERAPY: A treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
- CHEMOTHERAPY: A treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
- IMMUNOTHERAPY: A treatment that uses your own immune system to help the body fight cancer, infection, and other diseases.
- TARGETED THERAPY: A treatment that identifies and attacks specific types of cancer cells with less harm to normal cells then other treatments typically resulting in less side effects.
- INTRAVENOUS (IV): Most common type of infusion; used to put fluids, including cancer drugs directly into your bloodstream.
- SIDE EFFECTS: Secondary, typically undesirable, effects of a drug treatment affecting healthy tissues or organs
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XpertPatient’s team is committed to helping those new to cancer understand their cancer diagnosis, the differences between their latest cancer treatment options as well as what questions to ask. All of our content has been curated and refined for easier understanding, collaboration and sharing.
The original source for all diagnosis-related content is Cancer.gov. The original source for all treatment-related content is the NCCN Guidelines. Preferred Category 1 and 2A treatment options can be compared.
An award-winning customer experience expert, 2x cancer caregiver and health innovator, Risa launched XpertPatient.com to better education & empower patients & caregivers early on in their cancer journey, something proven to drive better outcomes.
Everyone asks “how is XpertPatient different?” While all of the latest research shows that better-educated & involved patients experience less anxiety, less treatment side-effects; and ultimately achieve better outcomes*, more than 1/2 of them won’t feel confident having treatment option conversations with their doctors. At XpertPatient we are on a mission to change that. To build an army of active health consumers.
A dynamic visionary focused on innovative and high-impact responses to significant societal issues, Carolyn plays a critical role in identifying critical cancer education needs, trusted third party resources and gaps in patient and caregiver care needs many serving as the foundation for the unique services delivered by XpertPatient.com.
“XpertPatient provides a critical resource by delivering unbiased treatment information and discussion guides patients can use to have more substantive conversations with their care providers. Surfacing information needed to make informed decisions is a critical step to achieving the best possible outcomes.”
As a seasoned cancer patient navigator, Shari is a critical member of XpertPatient’s Customer Experience Team working to ensure the content and services we deliver reflect the most urgent needs of families on a cancer journey, both big and small and wherever possible offer personalized guidance that support patients receiving the best possible care.
“XpertPatient is a comprehensive website that provides easy to read materials on a variety of cancer diagnosis including treatment options, financial resources, and side effect management. The “Compare My Treatment Options Now” tool is a wonderful resource for patients to better understand their options and have more informed, educated discussions with their physicians.”
A seasoned medical oncologist with experience working in both community practice and hospital settings spanning 2 different countries, Dr. Leonora leads our medical content team to deliver complex cancer-related content into easy to understand terms that resonate with our broad range of site visitors.
As a core member of our Customer Experience team, Leonora ensures we are always delivering an experience that is up to date as new cancer treatments are approved, medically accurate & 100% patient-centric.
If an annoying cyst on my hand hadn’t interfered with my normal daily routine, I might not have discovered that I had late-stage lung cancer. What was even more frightening was when my oncologist told me that the 5-year survival rate was at most 15%.
Well, it’s only now, after more than 8 years since my diagnosis, that I’m able to relax a bit and just live my life including to help launch XpertPatient.com. Creating a truly patient-centric experience has been one of the most incredible things I’ve done since my diagnosis. Knowing that my insights and experience are helping other cancer survivors through their journey is definitely rewarding.
A skilled Hematology/Oncology Nurse Practitioner at a leading US Cancer Center, Stefania serves as XpertPatient’s medical lead for all blood cancer related cancer center content (e.g, Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma). Collaborating with the Experience Team, Stefania leads diagnosis and treatment content development, resource identification and video selection for new patients and caregivers.
“XpertPatient is a comprehensive website that provides easy to understand information about diagnosis and treatment. As a provider, what I most like about it is that it empowers patients to take ownership of their care by becoming well-informed and being an active member of their care team.”
Dr. Feiler brings the XpertPatient Experience Team expertise and insights having been both a seasoned medical professional that successfully managed the needs of a highly diverse patient and caregiver population and a cancer caregiver.
Her in-practice and personal experiences have helped to break down complex medical terms into simple, easy to understand content, central to the success of the XpertPatient.com experience.
As an on-going advisor, Dr. Feiler guides content direction and ensures accuracy of language.
As XpertPatient’s CRO, my goal is to identify sponsors looking for a game-changing partner to drive business growth while positively impacting those on a cancer journey. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about building digital health media platforms that elevate health literacy and empower individuals to take charge of their well-being.
With experience leading companies including Healthline & Health Media Network, I have transformed emerging organizations into market leaders, providing people on their health journeys with access to trusted information.
Today, there is no greater urgency than assisting families in navigating cancer. I am thrilled to be part of the XpertPatient leadership team and committed to our mission of making a meaningful impact every day.
As the Strategic Partnership & Content Strategy Lead for XpertPatient, I am responsible for delivering a game changing experience trusted by new patients & caregivers, 100% endorsed by advocacy and a strategic partner to oncology brands working to reach & engage hard to reach audiences.
Before joining XpertPatient, I was the interim CMO at ArmourUp for Life, a not-for-profit foundation that helps cancer patients in underserved communities, improve patient outcomes throughout their health and wellness journey. Using storytelling to amplify Loriana’s powerful voice for advocacy we launched “STAGE FREE,” a podcast for cancer survivors and caregivers.
From my perspective, XpertPatient represents an untapped opportunity for the industry and the community it serves. I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this exciting brand.
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