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How is it determined to use radiation therapy in melanoma? How are margins determined?

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Topics (Tags):

Radiation Therapy Melanoma Treatment Radiation Treatment Radiation Oncology Melanoma

Topics:

Radiation Therapy X Melanoma Treatment X Radiation Treatment X Radiation Oncology X Melanoma X

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Diseases:

Breast Cancer Melanoma

Diseases:

Breast Cancer Melanoma X

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Answers (1)

LeonardFarberMD (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified) ) - 01 / 31 / 2012

There are particular indications for using radiation therapy in the treatment in melanoma and broken down into three categories: primary disease, regional disease, and metastatic disease. For primary disease, radiation may be considered as adjuvant treatment (following surgery) for patients with desmoplastic type melanoma with extensive neurotrophism- findings determined by a pathologist examining the specimen under a microscope. For regional disease the following are indications after surgery: extracapsular extension, the involvement of 4 or more lymph nodes (two or more lymph nodes if cervical lymph nodes involved, size of the primary tumor >3 cm, and recurrent disease after prior complete lymph node dissection. Finally, for metastatic disease radiation therapy may be used to treat brain metastases alone or after surgical resection, and other symptomatic or impending symptomatic involvement of bony metastases or soft tissue resection. For more information please see The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines. Margins are determined by a pathologist reviewing the surgical specimen and measuring the distance from where tumor is seen to the nearest point of normal tissue.

There are particular indications for using radiation therapy in the treatment in melanoma and broken down into three categories: primary disease, regional disease, and metastatic disease.  For primary disease, radiation may be considered as adjuvant treatment (following surgery) for patients with desmoplastic type melanoma with extensive neurotrophism- findings determined by a pathologist examining the specimen under a microscope.  For regional disease the following are indications after surgery: extracapsular extension, the involvement of 4 or more lymph nodes (two or more lymph nodes if cervical lymph nodes involved, size of the primary tumor >3 cm, and recurrent disease after prior complete lymph node dissection.  Finally, for metastatic disease radiation therapy may be used to treat brain metastases alone or after surgical resection, and other symptomatic or impending symptomatic involvement of bony metastases or soft tissue resection.  For more information please see The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines.  Margins are determined by a pathologist reviewing the surgical specimen and measuring the distance from where tumor is seen to the nearest point of normal tissue.

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Latest Activity: 01 / 31 / 2012
Views: 358
Followed By: 2 members