Radiation Therapy in the Management of Malignant Melanoma

Abstract

The initial treatment for primary and locoregional melanoma is surgery. Systemic therapy, and more recently immune therapy, has been the mainstay in the adjuvant and particularly the metastatic setting. Aside from palliation, there is a limited role for definitive radiation therapy for melanoma. However, in the adjuvant setting, postoperative radiation can improve locoregional disease control, albeit with potential toxicity and limited survival benefit. Stereotactic radiosurgery plays a vital role in the treatment of limited brain and extracranial metastasis.