title: Multidisciplinary treatment of primary melanoma.
abstract: This article covers the multidisciplinary treatment of primary melanoma. Excision margins and the need for sentinel lymphadenectomy are mainly dictated by the Breslow thickness although exceptions to this dictum do exist. Interferon is the only FDA approved adjuvant therapy for high risk melanoma although its overall survival benefit is minimal. Trials examining different doses or duration of interferon therapy have not demonstrated any promising survival data so far. There have been several randomized vaccine trials for melanoma but none have shown an overall survival benefit. Research into T-cell regulation continues and will hopefully bring promise for the future of melanoma treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston Hospital-Walgreen Bldg Suite 2507, 2650 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. kyao@northshore.org
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balch
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Winchester
mesh_terms: D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016898:Interferon-alpha