Melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer, but the most lethal. It affects people of all ages. If identified early, surgical removal can cure. If melanoma spreads to parts of the body the surgeons cannot reach, it is very resistant to conventional forms of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We are actively involved in developing new and better treatments for this condition.
 |
Contact: Box 193 |
 |
Telephone: (Dr Corrie's Secretary) 01223 274 401 |
Facilities in the Unit
The management of patients with melanoma in Cambridge is carried out by a multidisciplinary team of:
Dermatologists, who identify primary melanomas and treat them in their early stages;
Plastic surgeons, who perform any specialist surgery required;
Radiologists, who image the tumour;
Pathologists, who look at the tumour tissue under a microscope;
Oncologists, who offer advanced non-surgical treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biological agents and radiotherapy
This close liaison facilitates multidisciplinary care for patients with these tumours
Special clinical and research interests
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for melanoma. Treatments for disease once it has spread beyond surgery are limited. Chemotherapy is offered as a standard, but most patients will be offered treatments within clinical trials, in order to try to improve outcomes. These include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, vaccines and biological, targeted treatments. Radiotherapy is used primarily for symptom control.
Patients at high risk of recurrence from melanoma or those with unresectable disease are referred from across East Anglia to the Oncology Centre for consideration of non-surgical treatments.
Melanoma research in Cambridge is aimed at developing more effective treatments for this unpredictable and aggressive disease.
Key contacts:
|
Consultant Medical Oncologists: |
Dr Pippa Corrie and Professor Tim Eisen |
|
|
Macmillan Specialist Melanoma Nurse |
Sue Bailey |
|
|
Clinical Trials Practitioner |
Colette Mann |
|
|
| |
|
