What has NICE said?
Nivolumab (Opdivo) with ipilimumab (Yervoy) is recommended. It is a possible treatment for advanced (unresectable or metastatic) melanoma in adults.
If you have advanced melanoma, and your doctor thinks that nivolumab with ipilimumab is the right treatment, you should be able to have the treatment on the NHS.
Nivolumab with ipilimumab should be available on the NHS within 3 months of the guidance being issued.
The condition and the treatments
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Advanced melanoma is when the cancer can't be completely removed by surgery (unresectable) or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
Nivolumab and ipilimumab are drugs that helps the body's immune system to recognise and destroy melanoma cells. They are given by injection.
NHS Choices may be a good place to find out more.
The following organisations can offer you advice and support:
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British Skin Foundation, 0207 391 6341
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Melanoma UK, 0808 171 2455
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Skcin - Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity, 0115 981 9116
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Macmillan Cancer Support, 0808 808 0000
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Cancer Research UK Patient Information (previously CancerHelp UK), 0808 800 4040
NICE is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or advice provided by these organisations.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-1984-0