Update on Immunotherapy in Melanoma
Immunotherapy is now recognized as a viable option for patients with metastatic melanoma. The field of immunotherapy now offers treatments with the potential for a long-term cure. As the field…
ONCOLOGY
Role for Radiation Therapy in Melanoma
Although melanoma is generally considered a relative radioresistant tumor, radiation therapy (RT) remains a valid and effective treatment option in definitive, adjuvant, and palliative settings. Definitive RT is generally only…
Intralesional Therapy for In-transit and Satellite Metastases in Melanoma
Intratumoral therapy with bacteria/bacterial products dates to at least the 1890s. Over the decades this has expanded beyond the use of microbes and microbial products to include chemicals, cancer chemotherapeutic…
Regional Therapies for In-transit Disease
In-transit melanoma is an uncommon pattern of recurrence, but presents unique management challenges and opportunities for treatment. The clinical presentation usually involves from 1 to more than 100 small subcutaneous…
Metastasectomy for Stage IV Melanoma
Metastatic melanoma has an unpredictable natural history but a predictably high mortality. Despite recent advances in systemic therapy, many patients do not respond, or develop resistance to drug therapy. Surgery…
Lymph Node Dissection for Stage III Melanoma
Locoregional spread of melanoma to its draining lymph node basin is the strongest negative prognostic factor for patients. Exclusive of clinical trials, patients with sentinel lymph node–positive (microscopic) or clinically…
Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Melanoma in the Twenty-first Century
“The incidence of melanoma is increasing faster than any other cancer. The status of the regional nodal basin remains the most important prognostic factor. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is…
Surgical Management of Primary and Recurrent Melanoma
Melanoma accounts for less than 2% of skin cancer cases but causes most skin cancer–related deaths. Surgery continues to be the cornerstone of treatment of melanoma and surgical principles are…
Pathology of Melanoma
“The pathology of melanoma is discussed in relation to surgical diagnosis and management. Pitfalls that may result in problems of clinicopathologic communication are emphasized. A compelling vision for the future…
Current Staging and Prognostic Factors in Melanoma
The current American Joint Commission for Cancer staging system for melanoma includes thickness, ulceration, and mitotic index as primary tumor factors for patients with stage I and II disease. Number…
