Management of uveal melanoma: a consensus-based provincial clinical practice guideline.

INTRODUCTION: Survival in uveal melanoma has remained unchanged since the early 1970s. Because outcomes are highly related to the size of the tumour, timely and accurate diagnosis can increase the chance for cure. METHODS: A consensus-based guideline was developed to inform practitioners. PubMed was searched for publications related to this topic. Reference lists of key publications were hand-searched. The National Guidelines Clearinghouse and individual guideline organizations were searched for relevant guidelines. Consensus discussions by a group of content experts from medical, radiation, and surgical oncology were used to formulate the recommendations. RESULTS: Eighty-four publications, including five existing guidelines, formed the evidence base. SUMMARY: Key recommendations highlight that, for uveal melanoma and its indeterminate melanocytic lesions in the uveal tract, management is complex and requires experienced specialists with training in ophthalmologic oncology. Staging examinations include serum and radiologic investigations. Large lesions are still most often treated with enucleation, and yet radiotherapy is the most common treatment for tumours that qualify. Adjuvant therapy has yet to demonstrate efficacy in reducing the risk of metastasis, and no systemic therapy clearly improves outcomes in metastatic disease. Where available, enrolment in clinical trials is encouraged for patients with metastatic disease. Highly selected patients might benefit from surgical resection of liver metastases.

Intraoperative Near-infrared Spectroscopy Can Predict Skin Flap Necrosis.

Background: The study aimed to validate the previously identified capacity of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect clinically relevant differences in tissue perfusion intraoperatively. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing oncologic resection requiring flap reconstruction were analyzed. Clinicians were blinded to tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) measurements taken intraoperatively. Measurements were taken at (1) control areas not affected by the procedure, (2) areas at risk of necrosis based on distal location, and (3) areas of skin flap necrosis (SFN) identified during the follow-up period. Mean StO2 values were compared using a single-sample t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine differences in oxygenation. Results: There were 102 patients included from April 2018 to May 2019. Reconstruction was undertaken following resection for breast cancer (46), melanoma (35), sarcoma (9), and other cutaneous malignancies (12). Breast reconstruction involved 38 alloplastic reconstructions and eight autologous free flaps. Other skin flap reconstruction involved 42 local/regional skin flaps, 13 pedicled flaps, and one free flap. Eighteen patients (17.6%) developed SFN. Mean intraoperative StO2 measurements for control areas, areas at risk, and areas of SFN were 74.8%, 70.9%, and 54.3%, respectively. StO2 values equal to or less than 60% were highly specific (96%) for SFN, whereas StO2 values above 85% were highly sensitive (96%) to rule out SFN. Conclusion: These results further support the use of NIRS to objectively assess variations in skin flap oxygenation and tissue perfusion that are correlated with the development of postoperative SFN.

Locoregional management of in-transit metastasis in melanoma: an Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) clinical practice guideline.

Objective: The purpose of this guideline is to provide guidance on appropriate management of satellite and in-transit metastasis (itm) from melanoma. Methods: The guideline was developed by the Program in Evidence-Based Care (pebc) of Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) and the Melanoma Disease Site Group. Recommendations were drafted by a Working Group based on a systematic review of publications in the medline and embase databases. The document underwent patient- and caregiver-specific consultation and was circulated to the Melanoma Disease Site Group and the pebc Report Approval Panel for internal review; the revised document underwent external review. Recommendations: "Minimal itm" is defined as lesions in a location with limited spread (generally 1-4 lesions); the lesions are generally superficial, often clustered together, and surgically resectable. "Moderate itm" is defined as more than 5 lesions covering a wider area, or the rapid development (within weeks) of new in-transit lesions. "Maximal itm" is defined as large-volume disease with multiple (>15-20) 2-3 cm nodules or subcutaneous or deeper lesions over a wide area.■ In patients presenting with minimal itm, complete surgical excision with negative pathologic margins is recommended. In addition to complete surgical resection, adjuvant treatment may be considered.■ In patients presenting with moderate unresectable itm, consider using this approach for localized treatment: intralesional interleukin 2 or talimogene laherparepvec as 1st choice, topical diphenylcyclopropenone as 2nd choice, or radiation therapy as 3rd choice. Evidence is insufficient to recommend intralesional bacille Calmette- Guérin or CO2 laser ablation outside of a research setting.■ In patients presenting with maximal itm confined to an extremity, isolated limb perfusion, isolated limb infusion, or systemic therapy may be considered. In extremely select cases, amputation could be considered as a final option in patients without systemic disease after discussion at a multidisciplinary case conference.■ In cases in which local, regional, or surgical treatments for itm might be ineffective or unable to be performed, or if a patient has systemic metastases at the same time, systemic therapy may be considered.