In a nutshell This study looked at the effectiveness of a surgical treatment called partial transscleral sclerouvectomy (PTSU) combined with microinvasive vitrectomy and reconstruction of the eyeball (MIVR) for the treatment of tumors within the eyeball. This showed that this treatment can be effective for most eye tumors. Some background Melanoma is...
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In a nutshell This study looked at the use of robotic-assisted CyberKnife radiosurgery to treat iris melanomas. It found that this is a promising treatment for iris melanoma. Some background Melanomas are the most common tumors of the eye. Eye melanomas usually occur at the back of the eye, but sometimes they affect the iris (the colored...
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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...
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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...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the quality of life for survivors of melanoma who received immunotherapy. This study found that melanoma survivors had a significantly lower quality of life compared to the general population. Some background Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a new class of anti-cancer drugs that take advantage of the...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This trial aims to investigate the effects of the anti-cancer drugs dabrafenib (Taflinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist) on fever related side effects when treating patients with advanced melanoma that has been surgically removed. The main outcome that will be measured is the rate of fever and raised body temperature. The details High body...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study compared the afety and effectiveness of two surgical treatments for anal melanoma. The study found that patients who had a local excision and patients who had an abdominoperineal resection had the same level of overall survival. Some background Anal melanoma is a very rare cancer. Two surgical options for treatment are...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the association between smoking and the risk of melanoma lymph node metastasis (LNM; spread to the lymph nodes). Researchers suggested that smoking is associated with an increase in the risk of LNM in melanoma patients. Some background Smoking is a well-known cause of cancer. However, it does not appear to be...
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In a nutshell This study investigated whether a reduced follow-up schedule affects melanoma patient outcomes, detection of recurrences (when the cancer comes back) and follow-up costs. Researchers suggested that reduced follow-up visits, besides reducing significantly hospital costs, did not affect patients’ outcomes and recurrence...
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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 the factors that predict the return of melanoma (recurrence) and the survival of recurrent melanoma patients following a negative diagnostic report. Some background One of the most important factors that predict the possibility of melanoma recurrence is the status of sentinel lymph node (SLN). SLN is...
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