Melanoma Review: Background and Treatment

Summary

Melanoma is one of the few cancers whose incidence is on the rise. Older adults are mainly affected, with a higher incidence later in life. The primary treatment for melanoma is surgery with adjuvant IFN, depending upon the melanoma's size and grade. Treatment for advanced melanoma is limited, and toxicities may limit its overall benefit. The key focus for the prevention of melanoma is sunscreen application and regular skin examinations for the detection of suspicious moles.