Adjuvant therapies in the treatment of stage II and III malignant melanoma.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of cutaneous melanoma has increased during the past three decades. The development of sentinel lymph node biopsy has facilitated better staging. Despite these improvements, 5-year survival rates for American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II and III disease range from 50%-90%.


METHODS
A review of the current literature concerning adjuvant therapies in patients with stage II and III malignant melanomas was undertaken.


RESULTS
The focus of adjuvant therapies has shifted from radiotherapy, BCG and levamisole to newer biological agents. Interferon, interleukin and vaccines have been evaluated but none of these agents have demonstrated an increase in overall survival in patients with stage II and III melanoma. Interferon can prolong disease-free interval.


CONCLUSIONS
At present, no adjuvant therapy improves overall survival in patients with stage II and III melanoma. New staging allows more accurate stratification of patients for clinical trials.
Kavanagh
D
D
Department of Surgery, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Hill
A D K
AD
Djikstra
B
B
Kennelly
R
R
McDermott
E M W
EM
O'Higgins
N J
NJ
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2