In a nutshell The authors analyzed the role of certain genes in predicting survival in melanoma patients treated with tremelimumab (CP-675,206). Some background In advanced melanoma (stage III/IV), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. Immunotherapy is an effective treatment for advanced melanoma. It uses the...
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In a nutshell The authors measured the spread of melanoma to the lymph nodes and analyzed the effect of cancer spread on patient survival. Some background In skin melanoma, sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node (tiny, bean-shaped organ that helps fight infection) to which the cancer cells spread (metastasis). The...
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In a nutshell The authors analyzed the effectiveness of standard melanoma treatments in the management of acral melanoma (a type of skin cancer affecting specific parts of a body). Some background Acral melanoma affects the skin of the limbs, ears, fingers or nails. The occurrence of acral melanoma is most common in people with darker...
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In a nutshell The authors analyzed the complications and outcomes of radiation therapy in specific eye melanoma. Some background Choroidal melanoma develops in the choroid (the sponge-like membrane at the back of the eye). It is the most common eye cancer in adults. Juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma affects the optic...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effectiveness of radiation therapy after surgery in the management of desmoplastic melanoma (a rare kind of skin cancer). Some background Desmoplastic melanoma is a rare form of skin cancer where the cancer cells are surrounded by fibrous tissues (e.g. tissues that make up ligaments, tendons or...
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In a nutshell The authors compared the risk of developing subsequent melanoma in patients who have different stages of primary early stage melanomas. Some background Once primary early stage skin melanoma (first occurrence of melanoma) is diagnosed, there is a risk of developing subsequent melanoma within 10 years. Therefore,...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors analyzed whether mutations (permanent changes) in BRAF genes in early stage melanoma can predict patient outcome. Some background In skin melanoma, BRAF genes are often mutated. These genes are involved in cellular signaling and important protein function. This includes MAPK and MEK proteins. In...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated melanoma patients with liver metastasis (spread of cancer from the skin to liver) undergoing surgery or other treatments. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage IV), cancer often spreads from the skin to the liver. There are two treatment options in liver metastasis – surgery and...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors reviewed immunotherapies and targeted therapies for the treatment of advanced melanoma. Some background In advanced melanoma (stage IV), cancer spreads from the skin to other parts of the body. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are promising treatment options for this disease. These therapies...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors analyzed the importance of non-sentinel lymph nodes in predicting the outcomes for patients with skin melanoma. Some background In skin melanoma, sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node (tiny, bean-shaped organ that helps fight infection) to which the cancer cells are believed to have spread...
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In a nutshell The authors compared the safety and effectiveness of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to chemotherapy for the treatment of ipilimumab (Yervoy)-resistant melanoma. Some background Ipilimumab, an immunotherapy (treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer), is an approved drug for the...
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In a nutshell The authors reviewed current and future treatment options for melanoma patients with mutations (permanent changes) in various genes. Some background In 40-60% of skin melanoma patients, BRAF genes are mutated. These genes are involved in cellular signaling and important protein function. These proteins are...
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