[Malignant melanoma : Current status].

[Malignant melanoma : Current status]. Radiologe. 2017 Jul 20;: Authors: Winkler JK, Buder-Bakhaya K, Dimitrakopoulou-Strauss A, Enk A, Hassel JC Abstract CLINICAL ISSUE: The incidence of malignant melanoma is continuously increasing. The prognosis of metastatic disease is still limited. STANDARD TREATMENT: Until a few years ago palliative chemotherapy with a limited response rate was the standard treatment for metastatic melanoma. TREATMENT INNOVATIONS: Immunotherapy and targeted therapy provide new treatment options. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved the prognosis. DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP: Regional lymph node sonography, computed tomography (CT) of the neck, chest and abdomen and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are routinely used. As an alternative to CT scans 18 F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) may be used. PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS: Immunotherapy provides the chance of long-term disease control in metastatic melanoma. Ipilimumab may provide long-term tumor control in approximately 20% of patients. Median overall survival of approximately 2 years is achieved during therapy with anti-programmed cell death (PD) 1 antibodies. For combined therapy of ipilimumab and nivolumab a response rate of almost 60% is achieved and 2‑year survival is also approximately 60%. The range of immune-mediated side effects demands particular consideration. For ...
Source: Der Radiologe - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Radiologe Source Type: research