Search

As knowledge continues to develop, regular updates are necessary concerning recommendations for practice. The recommendations for the management of melanoma stages I to III were drawn up in 2005. At the request of the Société Française de Dermatologie, they have now been updated using the methodology for recommendations proposed by the Haute Autorité de Santé in France. In practice, the principal recommendations are as follows: for staging, it is recommended that the 7th edition of AJCC be used. The maximum excision margins have been reduced to 2 cm. Regarding adjuvant therapy, the place of interferon has been reduced and no validated emerging medication has yet been identified. Radiotherapy may be considered for patients in Stage III at high risk of relapse. The sentinel lymph node technique remains an option. Initial examination includes routine ultrasound as of Stage II, with other examinations being optional in stages IIC and III. A shorter strict follow-up period (3 years) is recommended for patients, but with greater emphasis on imaging., (© 2017 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

As knowledge continues to develop, regular updates are necessary concerning recommendations for practice. The recommendations for the management of melanoma stages I to III were drawn up in 2005. At the request of the Société Française de Dermatologie, they have now been updated using the methodology for recommendations proposed by the Haute Autorité de Santé. In practice, the principal recommendations are as follows: for staging, it is recommended that the 7th edition of AJCC be used. The maximum excision margins have been reduced to 2cm. Regarding adjuvant therapy, the place of interferon has been reduced and no validated emerging medication has yet been identified. Radiotherapy may be considered for patients in stage III at high risk of relapse. The sentinel lymph node technique remains an option. Initial examination includes routine ultrasound as of stage II, with other examinations being optional in stages IIC and III. A shorter strict follow-up period (3years) is recommended for patients, but with greater emphasis on imaging., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The management of metastatic cutaneous melanoma is changing, marked by innovative therapies. However, their respective use and place in the therapeutic strategy continue to be debated by healthcare professionals., Objective: The French national cancer institute has led a national clinical practice guideline project since 2008. It has carried out a review of these modalities of treatment and established recommendations., Methods: The clinical practice guidelines development process is based on systematic literature review and critical appraisal by experts. The recommendations are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. Prior to publication, the guidelines are reviewed by independent practitioners in cancer care delivery., Results: This article presents the results of bibliographic search, the conclusions of the literature and the recommendations concerning locoregional treatments of brain metastases for patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Background: Recent years have seen the emergence of new molecules for the treatment of patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma, with significant benefits in terms of survival and the opening of new therapeutic perspectives. In addition, many techniques are currently being developed for locoregional treatment of metastatic sites. Management of metastatic melanoma is thus fast-changing and is marked by innovative therapeutic approaches. However, the availability of these new treatments has prompted debate among healthcare professionals concerning their use and their place in therapeutic strategy., Aims: Since 2008, the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) has been leading a project to define and diffuse national clinical practice guidelines. It has performed a review of these treatment methods, which it aims to circulate, and it is seeking to develop recommendations in order to allow nationwide implementation of innovative approaches while promoting good use thereof., Methods: The clinical practice guidelines development process is based on systematic literature review and critical appraisal by experts within a multidisciplinary working group, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. The recommendations are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. Prior to publication, the guidelines are reviewed by independent practitioners in cancer care delivery., Results: This article presents the national recommendations for first- and second-line systemic treatment and for locoregional treatment of metastatic sites in patients presenting metastatic cutaneous melanoma., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The last years are marked by the emergence of new molecules for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous melanoma with a significant benefit on the survival. Besides, some techniques are in development for the loco-regional treatment of the metastatic sites, bringing new therapeutic perspectives. However, their respective use and place in the therapeutic strategy are debated by healthcare professionals., Objective: The French National Cancer Institute leads a national clinical practice guidelines project since 2008. It realized a review of these modalities of treatment and developed recommendations., Methods: The clinical practice guidelines development process is based on systematic literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary expert workgroup. The recommendations are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. Prior to publication, the guidelines are reviewed by independent practitioners in cancer care delivery., Results: This article presents recommendations for loco-regional treatments of the pulmonary, bone, cutaneous, hepatic and digestive metastatic sites for patients with pauci-metastatic cutaneous melanoma.

Purpose: To analyze the outcome after adjuvant radiation therapy with standard fractionation regimen in metastatic lymph nodes (LN) from cutaneous melanoma., Patients and Methods: 86 successive patients (57 men) were treated for locally advanced melanoma in our institution. 60 patients (69%) underwent LN dissection followed by radiation therapy (RT), while 26 patients (31%) had no radiotherapy., Results: The median number of resected LN was 12 (1 to 36) with 2 metastases (1 to 28). Median survival after the first relapse was 31.8 months. Extracapsular extension was a significant prognostic factor for regional control (p = 0.019). Median total dose was 50 Gy (30 to 70 Gy). A standard fractionation regimen was used (2 Gy/fraction). Median number of fractions was 25 (10 to 44 fractions). Patients were treated with five fractions/week. Patients with extracapsular extension treated with surgery followed by RT (total dose ≥50 Gy) had a better regional control than patients treated by surgery followed by RT with a total dose <50 Gy (80% vs. 35% at 5-year follow-up; p = 0.004)., Conclusion: Adjuvant radiotherapy was able to increase regional control in targeted sub-population (LN with extracapsular extension).

Introduction: In Western countries, the number of frail elderly people with metastatic melanoma (MM) keeps increasing. Conventional chemotherapy frequently induces imbalance in frail physiological cases. We propose to treat these patients with oral metronomic cyclophosphamide., Patients and Methods: This retrospective study analyses the data of patients with unresectable MM who received 50 to 100 mg of cyclophosphamide a day, 3 weeks out of 4. Main evaluation criterion was safety. Secondary evaluation criteria were objective response rate and overall survival., Results: Thirteen patients were included (median age: 80, 5 AJCC stage III and 8 AJCC stage IV). Clinical and biological safety were good, leading to long home staying and rare treatment discontinuations. Main toxicity observed was lymphopenia; no opportunist infection occurred. The control rate was 46%: one partial response and five stable diseases (median: 10 months). Survival after beginning of treatment ranged from 4 to 37 months (median: 8 months)., Discussion: Literature about MM in frail elderly is limited. Still, specific treatment is necessary. Cyclophosphamide in metronomic schema was well tolerated. The response rate was difficult to assess (small population) but several patients presented with long lasting stabilisation. The mechanisms of action of this treatment are original, associating antiangiogenic action and immunomodulation., Conclusion: Cyclophosphamide in metronomic schema showed good safety results for this frail population. Oral treatment enabled patients to stay at home longer and limited hospitalisation time. A larger controlled study will be necessary to confirm these encouraging results in elderly with MM, a classical chemoresistant tumor.

Background: There is no international consensus on practical methods of monitoring melanoma following surgical removal of a primary tumour. The chief aim of such monitoring is to ensure detection of relapse where early diagnosis is crucial for survival (i.e. in-transit and lymph node metastases amenable to surgical removal) and the emergence of any first recurrence of primary melanoma., Aim: The aim of our study was to identify the role of various agents and diagnostic tools both in first recurrence of primary melanoma and in clinical relapse of melanoma., Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study covering all patients with in-transit or regional lymph node metastasis seen between January 2005 and December 2007. The type of recurrence and method of detection were studied., Results: Ninety-four patients presented recurrence, with 66% of relapses comprising regional lymph node metastasis and 34% consisting of in-transit metastases. Thirty-three percent of cases of recurrence were detected by patients themselves, 21% by our department, 22% by a private dermatologist, 18% by a radiologist and 6% by a general practitioner. Fifty-four percent of recurrences among patients aged under 50 years were self-detected compared to 18% among patients aged over 70 years. A second melanoma was detected in six patients., Discussion: This study underscores the great importance of self-examination in melanoma follow-up with over one third of recurrences being self-detected by patients. Self-examination was more effective for younger patients, emphasizing the need to increase awareness among older patients. This study also demonstrates the essential part played by dermatologists in terms of regular follow-up of melanoma.

Background: Primary mucosal melanomas of the head and neck (MMHN) are rare and carry a poor outcome. The impact of different treatments on survival is not yet clearly established., Methods: Twenty patients treated from 1991 to 2004 at a single referral center were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Primary sites were oral mucosa in 14 cases, paranasal sinuses in three cases, and nasal cavities in three cases. The sex ratio was equal to 1, and the median age at diagnosis was 63 years (range, 17-77 y). At presentation, one patient had lymph node metastases, one patient had distant metastases, and one patient had both. Surgery was performed with curative intent in 19 cases (and achieved clear margins in 14 cases). Postoperative radiation therapy was delivered in four cases. The actuarial 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 13/19 and 7/16. The risk factors for death were male gender (RR = 9.3 [1.2-72], P = .024) and positive margins (RR = 21 [1.9-47], P = .013). In addition, we observed three metachromous cancers (one breast cancer, one kidney cancer and one lymphoma) during the follow-up period., Conclusion: The present study suggests that obtaining clear margins must be the goal in the treatment of MMNH.

Background: Traditionally melanoma has been considered as a radioresistant tumor. However, recent observations regarding radiobiology and clinical response of melanoma have prompted physicians to re-evaluate the role of radiotherapy in the management of melanoma. Indeed, radiotherapy is frequently used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma but the role of this therapeutic approach in the primary tumor management is unclear. We report 4 cases of thick primary melanoma treated by interstitial brachytherapy., Case Reports: Four patients (3 men, 1 woman; age: 73, 74, 79, 84 years), three with lentigo maligna melanoma and one with nodular melanoma, were treated exclusively by interstitial brachytherapy. The thickness of the 4 tumors was more than 3 mm. This treatment was chosen either because of the impossibility of conservative surgery or because of a contraindication for general anesthesia. Median follow-up was 48 months [18 to 65 months] and we did not observe any local tumor relapse. The cosmetic and functional results of this therapy were excellent., Discussion: These four cases illustrate the possibility of obtaining good local control of thick primary melanoma by interstitial brachytherapy where surgery is impossible, although without challenging the standard surgical therapy for primary melanoma. Before our study, this treatment was used only in one study to treat melanoma patients. In this case however, interstitial brachytherapy was accompanied by surgery. Therefore, the findings reported here are the first to demonstrate the efficacy of this treatment when used as the sole treatment for primary melanoma. In conclusion, where surgery is difficult or impossible, interstitial brachytherapy may be used to treat primary melanoma with excellent local tumor control and a good cosmetic outcome.

Copyright of Oncologie (Tech Science Press) is the property of Tech Science Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)