Role of Dermatologists in Treating Melanoma

Authors:
Allan C. HalpernFrom Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.

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Sanjay K. MandalFrom Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.

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Volume/Issue:
Volume 4: Issue 7
Online Publication Date:
Aug 2006
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2006.0059
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Melanoma is a major focus of dermatology training and practice, with dermatologists playing a central role in managing melanoma through primary prevention, secondary prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of thinner tumors. Dermatologists have led public health efforts to raise melanoma awareness, promulgate the early warning signs of melanoma, and promote melanoma prevention through sun protection. Dermatologists have unique expertise in melanoma risk assessment and the clinical diagnosis of melanoma through visual inspection and the use of diagnostic aids, including dermoscopy and photographically assisted follow-up. Increasing incidence of melanoma, earlier melanoma detection, narrower excision margins, and improved surgical training in dermatology have recently combined to enhance the role of dermatologists in melanoma care. For patients with thin primary melanomas, dermatologists are increasingly assuming complete care, including wide local excision and long-term surveillance for both disease recurrence and detection of new primary melanoma. Conversely, the advent of sentinel lymph node biopsy and adjuvant therapy has made melanoma management more complex and has intensified the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the disease. In this context, dermatologists contribute significantly to the formation, administration, and implementation of multidisciplinary melanoma programs.

Correspondence: Allan C. Halpern, MD, Chief, Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 160 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022. E-mail: halperna@mskcc.org
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Copyright:
Copyright © 2006 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Page Numbers:
8
Article Category:
Research Article
Received:
15 Mar 2006
Accepted:
24 Mar 2006
Print Publication Date:
01 Aug 2006
Online Publication Date:
Aug 2006
Keywords:
Melanoma; dermatologist; manpower; health care delivery
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