Multidisciplinary approach to patient with malignant melanoma

Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2013 Jul 1;13(6):887-900. doi: 10.2174/18715206113139990079.

Abstract

The incidence of melanoma is rapidly increasing worldwide and the prognosis of patients with metastatic disease is still poor, with a median survival of 8-9 months and a 3-year overall survival (OS) rate less than 15% [1,2]. A complete surgical excision is the main treatment for primary cutaneous melanoma [3], but controversies about the extension of excision margins still remain [4]. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) provides important prognostic and staging data by the identification of regional node-negative patients who would not benefit from a complete nodal dissection. However, there is no consensus in the definition of melanoma thickness to enforce the execution of the SLNB [5]. To date, Interferon-α (IFN-α)is the only approved adjuvant treatment after surgical excision of high-risk melanoma, but its indication remains still controversial [2,6].

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Melanoma / therapy*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf