[Update on current care guidelines: melanoma]

Abstract

This updated guideline focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous melanoma. Diagnosis is based on the excision and histopathological analysis of a suspected skin lesion. Definitive surgery should be performed by an experienced surgical unit. Sentinel node biopsy is standard care in the case of clinically nodal-negative patients with intermediate-thickness or thick melanomas. Complete lymph node dissection is performed selectively in the case of sentinel-positive patients. Adjuvant therapy with interferon-alpha can be considered in high-risk patients. The follow-up schedule of an asymptomatic patient can be based on histopathological and clinical prognostic factors.