The treatment will be given in a hospital or clinic. After the first injection, the second dose is given 3 weeks later, then additional doses will be given every two weeks for at least 6 months, until there are no remaining injectable tumours to treat or other treatment is required. You should keep the area where the injection was given covered for 2 days after treatment, and throw away the dressing in a special 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 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.
Flu-like symptoms
It’s very common to get flu-like symptoms after having T-VEC. Symptoms include a high temperature, feeling tired and weak, headaches, chills (shivering), muscle aches. These symptoms usually get better after a few days. Your medical team will advise you what to do if you experience these symptoms.
Being sick (vomiting) or feeling sick (nausea)
If you feel sick or are being sick while on treatment, medicines can be given to help control this. It is important if you are being sick to drink lots of fluids to stop you from becoming dehydrated.
Swollen hands and feet
Swelling of the hands and legs can occur due to a build-up of fluid (oedema).
Pain at the injection site
Some people can experience pain, redness, bleeding, swelling, inflammation, discharge, and warmth at the injection site.
Pain in different parts of the body (muscles, joints, arms and legs)
These pains should only be temporary, and painkillers can be used to control this if needed.
Some other common side effects of T-VEC may be:
Tiredness and weakness, cough, headaches or skin rashes
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