Historical review of melanoma treatment and outcomes

• Published in: Clinics in dermatology 2013-03, Vol.31 (2), p.141-147
• Main Authors: Lee, Carrie, MD, MPH, Collichio, Frances, MD, Ollila, David, MD, Moschos, Stergios, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - history; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Dermatology; DNA, Neoplasm - genetics; Famous Persons; History, 18th Century; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Medical Oncology - history; Melanoma - genetics; Melanoma - history; Melanoma - therapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Skin Neoplasms - genetics; Skin Neoplasms - history; Skin Neoplasms - therapy
• ISSN: 0738-081X; 1879-1131
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2012.08.015

Abstract The surgical and medical management of melanoma has changed dramatically since the first description of melanoma as a disease entity more than 200 years ago. Refinement of surgical techniques, including evaluation of optimal surgical margins, utility of elective lymph node dissection, and incorporation of sentinel lymph node mapping as both a prognostic tool and guide for selective lymphadenectomy have lessened surgical morbidity and improved outcomes for early-stage and locally advanced melanoma. Astute clinical observations of the integrated roles of the immune system and oncogenic mutations have more recently led to improvements in survival and quality of life for advanced melanoma. Herein, we provide an overview of the most significant surgical and medical milestones in the treatment of melanoma over the past 2 centuries.