Modern treatment of Head and Neck Melanoma: Case report and Review of literature

Surgical excision remains standard of care for cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck. Current guidelines suggest wide local excision of melanoma with recommended margins based on depth of disease. Once disease progresses to regional or distant spread however, additional adjuvant therapies should be offered in addition to surgical excision. Radiotherapy has been a mainstay of melanoma treatment and for several decades, immunotherapy with interferon was the mainstay of immune therapy. Targeted immunotherapy options are now available and are associated with favorable survival outcomes. These therapies are currently being studied in differently combinations and sequences to render improved results and possibilities. We present a case report of a young patient with locally advanced cutaneous melanoma of the scalp, who required multidisciplinary care for treatment. This case also highlights the intricate interplay necessary between various oncologic disciplines to achieve the highest possible survival outcomes for these patients.

Author(s): Giovana R.Thomas , Megan Ballard

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