title: Current therapy of cutaneous melanoma.
abstract: We review the current therapy for cutaneous malignant melanoma. Early surgical resection offers the best likelihood of cure. The initial staging of melanoma patients determines subsequent therapeutic decisions and follow-up care. The prognosis and appropriate therapy for each stage of melanoma are discussed. We review the controversy over lymph node dissection, and recent recommendations for the use of lymphoscintigraphy. Interferon-alpha continues to be the only Food and Drug Administration-approved adjuvant therapy for high-risk patients. In addition, the follow-up care of melanoma patients will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mays
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha