After an initial treatment, a second dose is given three weeks later with additional doses given every two weeks for at least six months, until there are no remaining injectable tumours to treat or other treatment is required. You should keep the injection site covered for 48 hours after treatment, and discard dressings in the bin provided by the hospital.
T-VEC is not offered as a treatment in all hospitals that treat melanoma and therefore you may have to travel to another hospital where they have been trained to administer the treatment.
Possible side effects
All cancer drug therapies are associated with some side effects that may impact on daily life to a lesser or greater extent. Early treatment of side effects can help manage them better.
The most common side effects of T-VEC include tiredness, chills, fever, rashes, feeling or being sick, swollen hands and feet, headaches and pain at the injection site. For more information on T-VEC side-effects can be found here: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/drugs/talimogene-laherparepvec
If you have any worries or concerns, please contact your medical team or call our:
Melanoma Helpline on 0808 801 0777
There may be clinical trials looking at new treatments to treat your type of melanoma.
For more information on clinical trials see the Melanoma TrialFinder