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...
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...
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 determined the risk of disease progression in melanoma patients based on the status of sentinel lymph node (SLN). Some background Classification of skin melanoma based on SLN is the standard procedure used to determine the course of treatment in melanoma patients. SLN is the first lymph node...
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In a nutshell The authors analyzed the factors that affect the survival outcomes in the early stages of skin melanoma. Some background The occurrence of early stage cutaneous (skin) melanoma is increasing. Tumor thickness (how deep the cancer reaches into the skin) at this stage is usually less than 1 mm. In early stage...
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In a nutshell The authors evaluated the factors that could predict development of brain metastasis in melanoma patients. Some background In advanced melanoma, cancer often spreads to the brain (brain metastasis). The functional changes in the body that accompany the symptoms of brain metastasis are currently unknown. However, if patients are...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors aimed to assess the effect of ipilimumab (Yervoy) as an additional therapy after surgery in advanced (stage III) melanoma patients who were at a high risk of relapse. Some background In the advanced stage of melanoma (stage III), cancer spreads from the skin to nearby lymph nodes (tiny, bean-shaped organs that help fight...
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In a nutshell The authors aimed to determine whether dacarbazine was better as a single or combination therapy when treating malignant melanoma. Some background Dacarbazine (DTIC) has been the most used and effective treatment option in malignant melanoma, however it has a low response rate (reduction in the signs or symptoms of cancer) of...
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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...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The authors reviewed the patterns of recurrence and survival after negative sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma. Some background The increasing incidence and prevalence of melanoma are in stark contrast to the overall decrease in the incidence rates of other cancers such as lung, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer. Despite...
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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...
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