title: The role of radiation therapy in melanoma.
abstract: Although melanoma was historically thought to be radiation resistant, there are limited data to support the use of adjuvant radiation therapy for certain situations at increased risk for locoregional recurrence. High-risk primary tumor features include thickness, ulceration, certain anatomic locations, satellitosis, desmoplastic/neurotropic features, and head and neck mucosal and anorectal melanoma. Lentigo maligna can be effectively treated with either adjuvant or definitive radiation therapy. Some retrospective and prospective randomized studies support the use of adjuvant radiation to improve regional control after lymph node dissection for high-risk nodal metastatic disease. Consensus on the optimal radiation doses and fractionation is lacking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oxenberg
authors.affiliation: Melanoma-Sarcoma Service, Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA. Electronic address: john.kane@roswellpark.org.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kane
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007372:Interferons
keywords: Locoregional recurrence; Lymphedema; Melanoma; Nodal metastases; Radiation therapy