Melanoma Treatment Explained: When Is Radiation Therapy Used?

In this video, Dr. Jeremy Harris, Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology at the University of California, Irvine, explains the role of radiation therapy in treating melanoma. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to damage the DNA of cancer cells, stopping them from growing or spreading. In melanoma, it can be used after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence, to target areas where the cancer has spread—such as the brain or bones—or to relieve pain and other symptoms. Dr. Harris discusses when radiation therapy is appropriate, how it fits into a broader treatment plan with surgery or immunotherapy, and what patients can expect during the process. He also highlights recent advances and ongoing research in melanoma care at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine.