Pros and Cons of Adjuvant Interferon in the Treatment of Melanoma

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139970/1/onco0451.pd

Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) remains the most common form of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Caucasians, with perhaps as many as 2 million new cases expected to occur in the United States in 2010. Many treatment options, including surgical interventions and nonsurgical alternatives, have been utilized to treat BCC. In this paper, two non-surgical options, imiquimod therapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT), will be discussed. Both modalities have demonstrated acceptable disease control rates, cosmetically superior outcomes, and short-term cost-effectiveness. Further studies evaluating long-term cure rates and long-term cost effectiveness of imiquimod therapy and PDT are needed

Multi-institutional melanoma vaccine trial

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41413/1/10434_2006_Article_BF02306095.pd

Commentary

No abstractPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34524/1/1092_ftp.pd

Current state of treatment for primary cutaneous melanoma.

A review of the current approach to primary cutaneous melanoma.The incidence of malignant melanoma has been rising steadily for the last 30 years. Through physician and patient education, surveillance of high-risk individuals, and biopsy of any suspicious lesions, more lesions are being diagnosed earlier, where there is a high cure rate. Unfortunately many patients will still present with thicker lesions or nodal involvement, which carries a significantly worse prognosis. Over the past decade, there have been several changes in the management of primary cutaneous melanoma. These have stemmed from novel surgical approaches, a new understanding of melanoma biology, and randomized clinical trials designed to improve outcome and decrease the morbidity of therapy. This article will review the clinical evidence behind the current reatment recommendations for primary cutaneous melanoma as well as some of the emerging data on innovative immunologic approaches to melanoma treatment.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39197/1/current state of melanoma.pd

Is there a role for sentinel lymph node biopsy in the management of sarcoma?

A review of the role for sentinel lymph node biopsy in sarcoma.Is there a role for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in the management of sarcoma? Sentinel node biopsy has dramatically changed the management of melanoma and breast cancer, helping surgeons avoid radical lymphadenectomies in node negative patients who would previously have undergone a more morbid operation with little benefit, or remained pathologically unstaged. Many investigators have explored the use of lymphatic mapping for malignancies other than breast cancer or melanoma. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy has not been investigated in the management of sarcomas, which is not surprising given that the majority of sarcomas spread by local extension or hematogenously. Regional lymph node metastases are rare; developing in about 3–10% of patients with localized disease. However, among certain subtypes of high-grade sarcomas there is a propensity for regional lymph node metastases. These include rhabdomyosarcoma, epithelioid sarcoma, clear cell sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and vascular sarcomas. It is in these particular subtypes that there may be a benefit to SLN biopsy.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39196/1/sarcoma SLN.pd

Surgical Therapy of Cutaneous Melanoma

For most solid tumors, therapy has evolved from surgery alone to a multidisciplinary approach. Malignant melanoma remains an exception, with surgery maintaining the principal role not only for treatment of the primary lesion but also staging and the management of advanced disease. The surgical management of melanoma has evolved over the years, resulting in a substantial decrease in the morbidity associated with treatment wihtout a compromise in outcome. This article will review the changes that have occured leading to the current surgical approach to melanoma, the evidence behind these recommendations, and new questions that need to be addressed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/51541/1/Surgical Therapy of Cutaneous Melanoma.pd

Treating Colon Cancer With a Melanoma Vaccine? Preposterous?

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41422/1/10434_2001_Article_386.pd