Adjuvant therapy of cutaneous malignant melanoma: A critical review

Abstract

The emergence of revised definitions for the high-risk patient with cutaneous malignant melanoma prompts us to re-examine the current status of adjuvant therapy in this disease. We wish to address the question, "once a cutaneous melanoma is surgically removed and the patient is currently free of disease but at high risk for metastases, what can be done to prevent recurrence"?

Radiation therapy for nodal disease in malignant melanoma

“…Response rates to radiation therapy have been reported to be 70% with a variety of schedules [1][2][3], However, such responses have been Overshadowed by the development of widespread metastases. In addition, little attention has been given in the past to the role of adjuvant radiation therapy following nodal dissection [4]. Some reports have indicated a trend for radiation therapy to reduce the incidence of local relapse following dissection, although there has been no demonstrated improvement in survival.…”

Thickness of Malignant Melanoma: Global Analysis of Related Factors

“…* * Balch et al, 1979a; Balch et al, 1983; Balch and Milton, 1985; Blois et al, 1983b; Breslow, 1970, 1975; Breslow and Macht, 1978; Cohen, 1977; Day et al, 1981d, 1982c; Drzewiecki and Andersen, 1982; Dvir et al, 1980; Griffiths and Briggs, 1984; Hacene et al, 1983; Heenan, 1985; Heenan and Holman, 1983; Jeffrey et al, 1983; Johnson et al, 1985; Kelly et al, 1985b; Koh et al, 1985; Kuehnl‐Petzoldt et al, 1983a; Lemish et al, 1983; MacKie, 1985; Maize 1983; Martijn et al, 1986; McGovern et al, 1983b; Palangie et al, 1981; Roberts et al, 1981; Roses et al, 1979; Schmoeckel and Braun‐Falco, 1978; Sober et al, 1983a,b; Sober, 1984; Sondergaard, 1985a; Trau et al, 1983; Urist et al, 1984, 1985; van der Esch et al, 1981; Veronesi, 1983; Wanebo et al, 1985. …”