Malignant melanoma and its therapy: a review

Malignant melanoma (MM) is an important cutaneous neoplasm. In classic cases, histologic levels of tumor invasion have been used as indicators of prognosis. Recent research suggests that vertical tumor thickness may be an equally valuable guide to prognosis and also to therapy. The standard surgical approach of wide excision and regional lymph node dissection may not be mandatory for all patients with MM. Regional perfusion of accessible primary tumors as an adjunct to surgery has yielded encouraging results. Immunotherapy of MM alone and in combination with chemotherapy may improve the poor outlook for disseminated MM.