[Milestones leading to new perspectives in melanoma therapy]

The author stresses, out of the abundant literature of melanoma, those new pieces of information that have changed the conventional therapeutic approach to melanoma. Elements of melanoma progression leading to a rational transformation of the dogmatic radical surgery are described. In addition, the phenomenon of regression, still requiring further investigations, is also dealt with, as well as the hormonal dependence of melanoma, which has practical importance in the management of some problems, e.g. indication of pregnancy interruption, hormonal contraception, and hormon substitution therapy in postmenopausa. The limited effectiveness of conventional complex tumour killing mechanisms (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) necessitates new therapeutic strategies based on tumour biological knowledge. Finally, the fields of application of vaccination and antiangiogenic and gene manipulation techniques are touched upon.