[Malignant melanoma. Diagnosis and therapy].
In Germany, 6100 women and 5300 men contract a malignant melanoma of the skin every year. The chances of being cured are good in the early stages of the disease, but the average survival following distant metastasis is only 6 to 9 months. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial, particularly as the skin is, by nature, a readily accessible organ. The introduction of epiluminescence microscopy has increased diagnostic accuracy significantly. In cases of doubt, complete excision of the suspect pigmented lesion is always advisable. A light skin type, presence of numerous naevi, genetic predisposition (familial history) and increased UV exposure are considered as risk factors. As a rule, adjuvant imunotherapy with interferon-alphais recommended in high-risk patients. A multidisciplinary approach consisting of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy has proved beneficial in advanced stages of metastasis.
Schultz
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Klinik für Dermatologie and Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Giessen und Marburg, Standort Marburg. eschultz@med.uni-marburg.de
Schuler
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D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate