In a nutshell This study wanted to find out what the best order is for treating melanoma with immunotherapy medications and surgery. The study found that immunotherapy before surgery resulted in better survival outcomes for these patients. Some background Treatments for melanoma have changed in the last few years. A newer treatment is...
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High neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with melanoma treated with PD-1 inhibitor
In a nutshell This study wanted to find out if a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was related to the survival of patients with melanoma treated with PD-1 inhibitor treatment. The study found that the higher the NLR, the lower the chances of survival in these patients. Some background One type of melanoma treatment involves...
Read MoreEvaluating the outcomes of patients with advanced melanoma with different treatments
In a nutshell This study wanted to find out how well patients with advanced melanoma treated with certain medications survived outside of clinical trials. The study found that patients treated with nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) or patients treated with anti-PD1 antibodies had longer survival compared to those treated with BRAF/MEK...
Read MoreMy Oncologist Doesn’t Believe Food Is Necessary
By Steve Gillman What my cancer taught me about medical “evidence” and how much is enough I exaggerate. My oncologist probably does believe humans need food, but I suspect the belief makes him uncomfortable, since no double-blind studies have been done to prove it. Like many doctors, his general approach to treatment is that if something hasn’t been...
Read MoreEvaluating immune-related side effects associated with pembrolizumab.
In a nutshell This study wanted to find out what put patients at risk of having immune-related side effects when they were treated with pembrolizumab (Keytruda). The study found that patients with a higher body mass index (BMI; a measurement of weight in relation to height) and more cycles of treatment were more likely to determine...
Read MoreReview of treatment options for patients with advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This article reviewed treatment options for patients with advanced melanoma. Some background Treatment for melanoma depends on several factors, including the disease stage. Advanced melanoma is diagnosed when cancer can be detected outside of the original tumor. This makes treatment difficult. Currently, there...
Read MoreReviewing treatment recommendations for patients with melanoma
In a nutshell This article reviewed different treatment options for patients with melanoma. Some background Melanoma is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Treatment options for patients with melanoma depend on how extensive it is. Melanoma that remains in its original site in the skin is called localized disease. It can also...
Read MoreEvaluating long-term outcomes of nivolumab plus ipilimumab for patients with advanced melanoma
In a nutshell This study compared nivolumab (Opdivo) plus ipilimumab (Yervoy) to either drug alone for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The authors concluded that nivolumab plus ipilimumab or nivolumab alone increased survival compared to ipilimumab alone for these patients. Some background Advanced melanoma is a type of skin cancer that...
Read MoreEvaluating BRAF plus MEK inhibitor treatment for patients with melanoma
In a nutshell This study evaluated whether combining BRAF and MEK inhibitors was safer and more effective than BRAF inhibitor treatment alone for patients with melanoma. This study concluded that combination therapy led to better survival but was associated with certain side effects. Some background Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can be...
Read MoreSurviving cancer – is there a greater risk of cardiovascular disease long-term?
In a nutshell This study investigated if there is a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in cancer survivors. They found that cancer survivors have a higher risk of CVD. Some background Improved cancer detection and treatment has increased the rates of survival. The number of cancer survivors living for more than 10 years is growing. Some...
Read MoreEvaluating the safety of smaller excision margins for thick melanomas
In a nutshell This study evaluated the effectiveness of 2 cm versus 4 cm excision margins for patients with thick melanomas on the surface of the skin (cutaneous). This study concluded that a 2-cm excision margin was safe for these patients. Some background The primary treatment for all stages of melanoma is surgery to remove the tumor. This involves...
Read MoreNivolumab in rare melanoma: is it effective in patients that progressed on ipilimumab?
In a nutshell This study investigated if nivolumab (Opdivo) is safe and effective in patients with rare melanoma subtypes (RMS) who progressed after ipilimumab (Yervoy). They found that this treatment was safe and improved survival in certain RMS. Some background Melanoma the most common cancers. There are many subtypes...
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