In a nutshell This article reviewed the available literature on the development, use and potential benefit of PV-10 in the treatment of spreading melanoma. Some background Spreading, or in-transit, melanoma often presents with lesions along the course of the migrating cancerous cells. The management of in-transit melanoma is challenging, since...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This review examined the use of intralesional injections to deliver immunotherapy in the treatment of melanoma patients. Some background Immunotherapy is a therapeutic approach which stimulates the immune system to respond against cancer cells in the same way the body would normally fight an invading virus or bacteria. For example,...
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In a nutshell This study evaluated the incidence of new primary melanomas (NPM’s) after first diagnosis of advanced melanoma. Some background Melanoma occurs when damaged skin cells multiply rapidly and form tumors. Patients diagnosed with melanoma are at an increased risk of forming new melanoma tumors (NPM's) compared to the general...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of routine surveillance imaging in detecting melanoma recurrence and increasing life expectancy. Some background Melanoma survivors are routinely examined for evidence of cancer recurrence since early detection of recurrence significantly improves survival. Although the importance of recurrence...
Read MoreIn a nutshell In this study researchers compared patient and cancer traits associated with early versus late recurrence (return of the cancer) of melanoma. Some background Late recurrence of melanoma means the return of the cancer more than 10 years after the initial treatment. Although a melanoma that does not recur within 10 years has been...
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In a nutshell This phase 3 clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of a combination of drugs that stimulate the immune system (interleukin-2 and the gp100 vaccine) in patients with metastatic melanoma. Some background A metastasized melanoma is cancer of the pigmented cells (called ‘melanocytes’) of the skin that has...
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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 study compared the outcomes between patients with clinically advanced melanoma spread to the lymph nodes who underwent therapeutic lymphadenectomy (TL) alone, or TL with regional radiation therapy. Some background Melanoma spread to the nearby lymph nodes is also called lymph-node metastatic melanoma. The treatment for...
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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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In a nutshell This paper reviewed current guidelines for treating early-stage melanoma (confined to the skin). Some background Melanoma is a form of cancer that originates in cells called 'melanocytes' that give skin its color. Melanoma is aggressive because it has a very high rate of metastasis (spread to distant organs) if left...
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