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What You Need To Know About™ Melanoma
    Posted: 03/31/2003



Introduction






What Is Melanoma?






The Skin






Melanocytes and Moles






Understanding Cancer






Melanoma






Melanoma: Who’s at Risk?






Signs and Symptoms






Dysplastic Nevi






Diagnosis






Staging






Stages of Melanoma






Treatment






Getting a Second Opinion






Preparing for Treatment






Methods of Treatment






Surgery






Chemotherapy






Biological Therapy






Radiation Therapy






Treatment Choices by Stage






Recurrent Melanoma






Side Effects of Treatment






Surgery






Chemotherapy






Biological Therapy







Radiation Therapy






Nutrition






Followup Care






Support for People with Melanoma






The Promise of Cancer Research






How To Do a Skin Self-Exam






National Cancer Institute Booklets






National Cancer Institute Information Resources



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Radiation Therapy

The side effects of radiation therapy depend on the amount of radiation given and the area being treated. Side effects that may occur in the treated area include red or dry skin and hair loss. Radiation therapy also may cause fatigue. Although the side effects of radiation therapy can be unpleasant, the doctor can usually treat or control them. It also helps to know that, in most cases, side effects are not permanent.

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