Background: The incidence of cutaneous melanoma has increased during the past three decades. The development of sentinel lymph node biopsy has facilitated better staging. Despite these improvements, 5-year survival rates for American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II and III disease range from 50%-90%.
Methods: A review of the current literature concerning adjuvant therapies in patients with stage II and III malignant melanomas was undertaken.
Results: The focus of adjuvant therapies has shifted from radiotherapy, BCG and levamisole to newer biological agents. Interferon, interleukin and vaccines have been evaluated but none of these agents have demonstrated an increase in overall survival in patients with stage II and III melanoma. Interferon can prolong disease-free interval.
Conclusion: At present, no adjuvant therapy improves overall survival in patients with stage II and III melanoma. New staging allows more accurate stratification of patients for clinical trials.