How do you approach patients with very low risk stage IIIA cutaneous melanoma for adjuvant immunotherapy?

Topics: Melanoma/Skin Cancer • Medical Oncology • Dermatology

Very-low-risk stage IIIA disease includes non-ulcerated lesions, primary ≤2 mm thickness, SLN metastasis <1 mm. Per NCCN the toxicity of adjuvant therapy may outweigh the benefit. However, recent studies have shown benefit in stage IIB,IIC with adjuvant pembrolizumab. Can we extrapolate the results to this group?

Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Academic Institution

Although it may seem that Stage 3A is a higher stage than Stage 2B and 2C, it must be kept in mind that according to AJCC 8 criteria, 2B and 2C melanomas are thicker (with to without ulceration), and a 3A melanoma is by definition a thinner melanoma. A thin melanoma (<2mm) is called a 3A melanoma...

Comments

Medical Oncologist at Meritus Hematology & Oncology Specialists
Thank you for your input. Very helpful.

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