# Is MELINOMA \ Fatal \*always\*?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 17, 2001, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-melinoma-sp-fatal-always/82170 "2001-09-17T15:26:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freewill39](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d2c977/32.png) [@freewill39](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freewill39)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-melinoma-sp-fatal-always/82170/1 "2001-09-17T15:26:50Z")
Howdy, Folks. My mother just found out that a cousin of hers tested positive for Melinoma (sorry if that’s mispelled). She asked me if it is fatal 100% of the time, or if it’s treatable, and how treatable it is, and all that jazz. I, being unfamiliar subject, couldn’t give her much of a response. Could some provide a more substantial and informative retort for me? Thanks, Folks! ``` - Freewill39 ``` ---
**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-melinoma-sp-fatal-always/82170/2 "2001-09-17T15:32:25Z")
IANAD, remember that. **Qagdop the Mercotan** , however, _is_ and will probably be along shortly with much better info and some real numbers. The short answer, though, is that melanoma is not always fatal. However, like many diseases, the earlier it’s caught the better. If your mother’s cousin’s cancer was caught before it’s got into the lymphatic system or otherwise begun to spread, then it’s treatable, usually by surgical removal, IIRC. Hope your mother’s cousin pulls through. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-melinoma-sp-fatal-always/82170/3 "2001-09-17T16:03:01Z")
I’ve had one. About 5 years ago. No, it ain’t fatal if caught early. It does mean that I go into a dermatologist regularly for “mole inspection”. Story - I had this extremely ugly looking mole on my shoulder. When I went to the doctor, and told him about it, he agreed that it was an ugly looking mole, removed it, and called me back a week later with the nasty news that it was a malignant melenoma, and I was to go see a dermatologist. Who chopped out a larger area around where it was - still just local anesthetic, outpatient treatment, and I wound up with some stitches. They called two weeks later to say that they’d gotten the whole thing - I was rather surprised that they said “cured”. Basically, I spent a few weeks flipping out, and now watch any moles I might have very carefully, as well as going in for regular examinations. Bottom line - it’s not a big problem if they get it before it spreads anywhere, and can be minor surgery at that point, with no other treatment. If it reaches the lymphatic system, you’re in much more serious trouble. It feels strange to have to check “cancer” on “have you had” sections of medical forms. With luck, your mother’s cousin will have a story similar to mine. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-melinoma-sp-fatal-always/82170/4 "2001-09-17T16:13:46Z")
Here’s a good site on Melanoma. [http://www.skin-cancer.com/](http://www.skin-cancer.com/) Like **tavella** and **yabob** said, it’s highly curable if found early, but deadly indeed if it spreads. Hope your cousin does ok QtM ---
**Author:** ![DPWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DPWhite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPWhite)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-melinoma-sp-fatal-always/82170/5 "2001-09-17T18:19:08Z")
Dogs can be trained to sniff out melanoma in very early stages due to it’s unusual odor and that dogs have noses zillions of times more sensitive than ours. I’ve seen a few articles and news blurbs on this over the past 18 months. This should be very helpful for everyone if it catches on. ---
**Author:** ![kellibelli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@kellibelli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellibelli)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-melinoma-sp-fatal-always/82170/6 "2001-09-17T21:14:45Z")
Cancer sniffing dogs? I am afraid I will have to see a cite on that.