Screening/Prevention
Melanoma Rates Increasing in Young Women
(07/11/2008)
Rates of melanoma—the most deadly form of skin cancer—continue to increase among young women in the United States. These results were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Patients Undergoing Organ Transplant at Increased Risk for Skin Cancer
(04/30/2008)
Patients who receive an organ transplant are at an increased risk for developing various types of cancer, including skin cancers. It recommended that these patients receive extensive education about risks of skin cancer as well as screening measures. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Tanning Beds Pose Skin Cancer Risks
(04/28/2008)
Despite marketing efforts by the tanning bed industry that use of tanning beds can provide the healthful benefit of increasing vitamin D levels, researchers claim that “there is absolutely no justification for indoor tanning,” citing the associated risk of skin cancer and the availability of vitamin D from sources other than UV exposure. These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Skin Examinations Remain Standard of Care for Early Diagnosis of Melanoma
(04/28/2008)
Regular skin examinations remain the standard of care for the early detection and prevention of melanoma. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting.
Rates of Melanoma Continue to Increase
(04/28/2008)
The rate of melanoma in the United States continues to rise. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Stages I-II
May Is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month
(04/28/2008)
As the month of May brings skin cancer into focus, it’s a great time to increase public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated skin cancer information throughout the year.
Sentinel-node Biopsy Plays Important Role in Melanoma
(09/28/2006)
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, sentinel-node biopsy provides prognostic information in patients with intermediate-thickness melanoma, and may lead to improved survival in patients who are found to have a positive sentinel node.
Addition of TNF-α to Melphalan Does Not Improve Outcomes in Melanoma Patients Undergoing Isolated Limb Perfusion
(09/11/2006)
Among patients undergoing hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion for locally advanced melanoma, the addition of TNF-α to melphalan resulted in a higher complication rate without improving treatment response. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Autoimmunity During Interferon Treatment for Melanoma Linked with Improved Survival
(02/17/2006)
Among patients receiving immunotherapy for melanoma, those who showed evidence of autoimmunity (an immune response against the body’s own tissues) survived significantly longer than those who did not. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
No Benefit for Stage II Melanoma with Addition of Isotretinoin
(02/17/2006)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the addition of isotretinoin to interferon alfa provides no benefit over interferon alfa alone in the treatment of stages IIA-IIB melanoma.
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Stage III
May Is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month
(04/28/2008)
As the month of May brings skin cancer into focus, it’s a great time to increase public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated skin cancer information throughout the year.
Genasense® Improves Survival in Some Patients with Advanced Melanoma
(10/09/2006)
According to results recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the addition of Genasense® (oblimersen) to dacarbazine provides a significant survival benefit in patients with Stage III or IV melanoma. The benefit, however, was only present in patients with normal levels of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
Addition of TNF-α to Melphalan Does Not Improve Outcomes in Melanoma Patients Undergoing Isolated Limb Perfusion
(09/11/2006)
Among patients undergoing hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion for locally advanced melanoma, the addition of TNF-α to melphalan resulted in a higher complication rate without improving treatment response. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Autoimmunity During Interferon Treatment for Melanoma Linked with Improved Survival
(02/17/2006)
Among patients receiving immunotherapy for melanoma, those who showed evidence of autoimmunity (an immune response against the body’s own tissues) survived significantly longer than those who did not. These results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Addition of Genasense® to Dacarbazine Improves Outcomes in Subset of Metastatic Melanoma Patients
(11/14/2005)
Results from a phase III clinical trial indicate that the addition of Genasense® (oblimersen) to dacarbazine provides a significant survival benefit in patients with stage III or IV melanoma. The benefit, however, was only present in patients with normal levels of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). These results were presented at the 2005 annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium in New York.
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Stage IV
Preventive Dental Care Reduces Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Associated with Bisphosphonates
(08/20/2008)
Patients who undergo preventive dental care prior to receiving therapy with bisphosphonates have a significantly reduced risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. These results were published in an early online publication in the Annals of Oncology.
Radiofrequency Ablation Effective for Primary Lung Tumors and Lung Metastases from Melanoma
(08/04/2008)
The use of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of lung cancer and lung metastases from breast, colon, and prostate cancers and melanoma is effective and safe for some patients. These results were recently published in the Lancet Oncology.
Patient’s Own Immune Cells Help Attack Melanoma
(06/20/2008)
Results from one patient involved in a clinical trial have demonstrated that a complete regression of advanced melanoma may occur with the use of a patient’s own immune cells.
Nexavar® Shows Promise for the Treatment of Advanced Melanoma
(05/08/2008)
Researchers from the United States have recently reported that, among patients with advanced melanoma, the addition to chemotherapy of the drug Nexavar® (sorafenib) improved progression-free survival. Full details of the study were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Gleevec® May Be Effective for Some Patients with Metastatic Melanoma
(04/29/2008)
The targeted agent Gleevec® (imatinib) may be a promising therapy for some patients with metastatic melanoma. These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
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Recurrent
Preventive Dental Care Reduces Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Associated with Bisphosphonates
(08/20/2008)
Patients who undergo preventive dental care prior to receiving therapy with bisphosphonates have a significantly reduced risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. These results were published in an early online publication in the Annals of Oncology.
Addition of Gliadel® Wafer to Surgery and Radiation Effective for Brain Metastasis
(06/22/2007)
According to an article in Clinical Cancer Research, the addition of Gliadel® Wafer (carmustine polymer wafer) to surgery plus external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of a single brain metastasis is a safe and effective regimen for patients.
Engineered Immune Cells May Help Fight Melanoma
(09/01/2006)
According to an early online publication in the journal Science, a patient’s own genetically engineered immune cells may help to fight melanoma.
Therapy Involving Patient’s Immune Cells Effective for Refractory, Advanced Melanoma
(04/07/2005)
According to results recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, therapy involving a patient’s own immune cells appears promising in the treatment of advanced melanoma that has stopped responding to standard therapies.
Radiation Therapy Helps Prevent Local Recurrences in Melanoma
(04/16/2003)
According to a recent article published in the journal
Cancer, adjuvant radiation therapy appears to prevent local recurrences in patients with spread of melanoma to cervical (neck) lymph nodes.
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