In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine the differences between surgery alone or in combination with biopsy in treating skin cancer. Some background Sentinel-node biopsy (removes tissue from the lymph node (site that holds immune cells) to determine cancer progression) is the standard-of-care in skin cancer. Wide local excision is a...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether factors such as vitamin D levels and smoking can affect inflammation and overall melanoma survival. Some background Inflammation is the body's method of self-protection in response to harmful stimulants like damaged, cancerous cells in melanoma. In some cases inflammation can become...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the effect of residual melanoma after excision of the primary tumor on prognosis in cutaneous melanoma. Some background Cutaneous melanoma is the most malignant form of skin cancer, which accounts for 90% of all deaths caused by skin cancer. When a cutaneous melanoma is suspected, an excisional biopsy (removal...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the significance of sentinel-node biopsy in the outcome of melanoma patients. Some background In order to estimate melanoma spread, the risk of disease progression after surgery, and the aggressiveness of treatment necessary, a biopsy of the sentinel-node (the first lymph node draining the melanoma lesion) is...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the effect of BRAF mutation on survival among early stage melanoma patients. Some background The B-raf protein, encoded by the BRAF gene, plays an important role in regulating cell growth and division. Mutations in the BRAF gene are implicated in approximately 40% of all melanoma cases. BRAF mutation is...
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In a nutshell This study investigated which characteristics of thin melanomas are associated with positive lymph nodes (melanoma spread to the lymph nodes) and the outcomes of these patients. Some background Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that originates in the pigmented cells of the skin (melanocytes). If these tumors are caught early, when...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated which factors can help determine the prognosis of melanoma patients with skin metastases. Some background Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that originates in the pigmented cells of the skin called melanocytes. The 5-year survival rates of patients with melanoma can vary widely, and the prognosis of the disease...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated whether there are specific, high-risk periods a melanoma can return (recur) and spread to distant organs of the body (metastasize). Some background Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that originates in the melanocytes (pigment producing cells of the skin). Often, particularly in the early stages, when the melanoma...
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In a nutshell This paper evaluated the proper frequency of follow up visits for patients treated for localized (stage I or II) melanoma. Some background Stage I and II melanomas are localized (confined) to the skin. Patients with stage I or II melanoma are generally treated with a wide excision (surgery to remove the melanoma as well as a...
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In a nutshell The present article evaluated the specific appearance of cancer-invaded lymph nodes on ultrasound in patients with melanoma undergoing a sentinel node procedure. Some background The first place melanoma spreads to (metastasizes) is in the nearby lymph nodes. Once a lymph node is invaded, melanoma patients usually have poorer survival...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The present article evaluated the benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) compared to observation alone after therapeutic lymphadenectomy (TL) for melanoma patients with a high risk of lymph node relapse (return of cancer to the lymph nodes). Some background Patients with a history of melanoma are at increased risk of developing...
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