Melanoma news seems bright; drug making it to market … not so much

Skin cancer continues to be a risk for many Americans. When detected early it is one of the most curable forms of cancer. Dr. Kim warns his patients to avoid the sun and its dangerous rays. The sun is a major contributor to premature aging of the skin. Patients who have skin that is damaged by the sun could be advised to treat the sun damage before having facial rejuvenation procedures such as a facelift, brow lift, or eyelid lift. Often skin that is sun damaged can be weak and respond poorly to surgery. Patients can use medical grade skincare products and treatments to improve the health and appearance of the skin. There have been promising strides made in the treatment of skin cancer. Some drugs show promise but offer little real success. According to KTLA a new study showing that the chemotherapy drug vemurafenib can prolong the lives of people with malignant melanoma — the especially aggressive and dangerous form of skin cancer that kills about 8,700 Americans each year — has rightfully lifted the spirits of doctors and patients alike.

But a close look at the numbers raises questions about the drug’s real-world impact. The study suggests that only one out of four patients with malignant melanoma will respond to the drug. For those who do respond, the benefits are uncertain, says Tim Turnham, executive director of the Melanoma Research Foundation.