Surgical treatment options for stage IV melanoma

Melanomas have unique tumor biology and unpredictable patterns of metastasis. Metastatic melanoma is classified based on the location of metastasis. Surgical resection of metastatic melanoma may be performed for curative or palliative intent. In carefully selected patients, there is a survival benefit to metastasectomy. Candidates for surgical resection generally have favorable prognostic factors. Targeted biologic therapies and immunomodulatory therapies are promising new treatments associated with improved progression-free and overall survival. In the setting of new, effective medical therapies, further study is needed to determine how best to combine nonsurgical and surgical treatments for stage IV melanoma.