Diagnosis and management of high-risk and metastatic melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
To identify treatment modalities and corresponding nursing implications for the high-risk and metastatic melanoma patient.


METHODS
Texbooks, research articles, and professional experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent advances in the field of melanoma include identification of prognostic factors, refinement of surgical techniques, and identification of effective adjuvant therapy. Novel therapies are currently under investigation.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses play a vital role in the treatment of melanoma patients through education regarding their disease and treatment options, patient identification for clinical trials, and intensive monitoring and management for treatment-related side effects.
Hollis
Genevieve
G
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, 420 Guardian Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Recio
Adriana
A
Schuchter
Lynn
L
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins