Melanoma (May 2014)

Recent advances in immunotherapy and in agents that target specific genetic mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway have led to dramatic improvements in outcomes for patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma.

Risk factors for contracting melanoma are complex and can include environmental exposure and an individual’s genetic susceptibility, but people at highest risk are those with a personal or family history of melanoma and those with large, atypical, and/or multiple (more than 50) nevi.

Many patients with melanoma are diagnosed with unresectable stage III or IV disease that requires systemic treatment. Treatment of melanoma depends largely on the stage at diagnosis.

This article provides an overview of clinical trials in melanoma.