Spanish Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group (GEM) guidelines for the management of patients with advanced melanoma

Abstract

Advanced melanoma is a relatively uncommon condition whose therapeutic management has undergone major changes over the past four years. The present article aims to establish recommendations for the management of these patients based on the best available evidence reached by consensus of a group of professionals familiar in the treatment of these patients. These professionals, belonging to Spanish Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group, reviewed the diagnostic process and the incorporation of newtechniques of molecular diagnosis of advanced disease; treatment and monitoring of stage III both as adjuvant locoregional treatments have been addressed, as well as new therapies for stage IV.We have reviewed the palliative treatment alternatives for disseminated disease, such as surgery, radiotherapy or non-cytotoxic systemic treatments. Finally, we have also reviewed the most relevant toxicities of new drugs and their management in clinical practice.