Vernon K. Sondak

Granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor added to a multipeptide vaccine for resected Stage II melanoma.

Forty‐eight patients with resected Stages IIA and IIB melanoma were immunized with two tumor antigen epitope peptides derived from gp100209–217 (210M) (IMDQVPSFV) and tyrosinase368–376 (370D) (YMDGTMSQV) emulsified with incomplete Freunds adjuvant (IFA). Patients were assigned randomly to receive either peptides/IFA alone or with 250 μm of granulocyte‐macrophage–colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) subcutaneously daily for 5 days to evaluate the toxicities and immune responses in either arm. Time to recurrence and survival were secondary end points.

Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the scalp: a multidisciplinary approach.

Angiosarcoma is a malignant tumor of vascular endothelial cells that arises in the head and neck. It is a rare, difficult to treat, and lethal tumor.

Low Recurrence Rate after Surgery for Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: A Multidisciplinary Approach from a Single Institution

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare sarcoma with a propensity for local recurrence. Treatments with wide excision, Mohs surgery, and other approaches have been reported with widely variable local control rates. The objective of this study was to review the experience with a multidisciplinary approach employing wide excision and Mohs surgery selectively in the treatment of patients with DFSP at a single academic institution over the past 10 years.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for patients with problematic spitzoid melanocytic lesions: A report on 18 patients

Spindle and/or epithelioid melanocytic proliferations that display overlapping histopathologic features of Spitz nevus and Spitz‐like melanoma are diagnostically difficult and controversial melanocytic tumors. There are reports of such lesions metastasizing to regional lymph nodes, with a few widely disseminating, resulting in death.

Thin Primary Cutaneous Melanomas Associated Detection Patterns, Lesion Characteristics, and Patient Characteristics

Public awareness and education may lead to the detection of thinner melanomas, which may result in a decrease in morbidity and mortality rates. Which detection patterns, lesion, and patient characteristics are associated with early detection?

Expression of receptor tyrosine kinases epidermal growth factor receptor and HER-2/ neu in synovial sarcoma

Synovial sarcomas are high‐grade soft tissue neoplasms often characterized by a biphasic spindle and epithelioid cell morphology. The majority of synovial sarcomas harbor a specific chromosomal translocation in which the proximal portion of the SYT gene at chromosome 18q11 is fused to the distal portion of one of several duplicated SSX genes (most notably SSX1 and SSX2) at chromosome Xp11. SYT/SSX1 translocations are seen in nearly three times as many synovial sarcomas as SYT/SSX2 translocations. Although the SYT/SSX2 fusion is usually associated with the monophasic disease pattern, the SYT/SSX1 fusion is present in tumors with biphasic or monophasic patterns. The SYT/SSX1 fusion gene is associated with more aggressive tumor growth and poor outcome. Despite advances in the therapy of local disease, distant metastasis remains the predominant cause of death. Accordingly, there is a need for alternate therapies, such as those recently developed against the receptor tyrosine kinases, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER‐2/neu.

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in the detection of early metastasis from sweat gland carcinoma

Several subtypes of sweat gland carcinoma have been found to demonstrate a propensity to metastasize systemically and to regional lymph nodes. The predictive value and benefit of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy have been established in numerous other malignancies, but to the authors knowledge there is little literature published to date regarding the use of SLN biopsy in patients with sweat gland carcinoma. In the current study, the authors demonstrated the utility of SLN biopsy in detecting subclinical metastases of sweat gland carcinoma, which may result in early treatment.

Desmoplastic and neurotropic melanoma: Analysis of 33 patients with lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy

Desmoplastic and neurotropic melanoma (DNMM) occasionally metastasizes to regional lymph nodes and extranodal sites. The value of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has not been demonstrated clearly for patients with DNMM. The authors report on the utility of SLNB in the management of patients with DNMM.

A Phase II trial of vinorelbine tartrate in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma and one prior systemic therapy: a Southwest Oncology Group study.

Single‐agent chemotherapy with dacarbazine continues to be the standard of care for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However, there is a large population of patients who have failed first‐line therapy and might benefit from additional treatment. In the current study, the authors evaluated the antitumor effects and toxicity of vinorelbine therapy in patients who had failed one prior systemic therapy.

The sentinel lymph node: more than just another blue lymph node.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.11270