The Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-Oncology – Stage 4 Melanoma Treatment

Continuous research is conducted at the Ella Institute, with over 10 studies currently ongoing. Eligible patients receive treatment under the strictest ethical and safety standards.

Sheba Medical Center is a leader in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) immunotherapy. TIL is a promising treatment for patients with malignant metastatic melanoma, or melanoma that has spread beyond the outermost layers of the skin. These patients often have weakened immune systems and receive transfers of immune cells, with very encouraging results having been seen in clinical research. Sheba Medical Center has improved the TIL protocol and hopes to make use of it in other types of cancer in the future.

There are several various types of skin cancer, but squamous and basal cell skin cancers are the most frequently seen. Over 5 million people develop these types of cancer each year, more than 3 million of whom are Americans. These cancers typically form on areas of the skin that receive a lot of sun exposure, like the face, ears, forearms, and backs of the hands. They are usually highly treatable if discovered early enough.

Although melanoma makes up a small portion of all skin cancers, it is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer. It develops in the melanocytes, the cells responsible for pigment production in the skin. Unfortunately, melanoma can form on any skin area, regardless of sun exposure. Again, melanoma can often be treated successfully if discovered soon enough.

The risk factors for skin cancer include:

• Sun and other ultraviolet light exposure
• Older age
• A family history of skin cancer
• Pale skin tone
• Having many moles on the skin
• A history of severe sunburns

Melanomas and other skin cancers are categorized according to several factors, such as stage 4 melanoma. These include how far the cancer has infiltrated into the skin, the size of the original tumor, and whether the cancer has spread to adjacent lymph nodes or distant areas of the body.

While early stage cancer always have the best prognoses, effective treatment is available for even metastatic, or widespread, skin cancers.

Some signs and symptoms of skin cancer include:

• Skin appearance changes, such as moles that change shape or color, new moles and other blemishes
• Scaly or bleeding skin areas
• Non-healing sores on the skin
• Soreness of skin areas

Skin cancers are typically surgically removed and then analyzed by a pathologist. A detailed pathologic examination is necessary to properly diagnose and stage 4 melanoma and other skin cancers.