Reply to Pennington, T.E.; Thompson, J.F. Sentinel Node Biopsy in Melanoma Remains a Valuable Clinical Tool. Comment on "Dixon et al. Primary Cutaneous Melanoma-Management in 2024. 2024, , 1607".

We note with interest the commentary by Pennington and Thompson (P&T) regarding our detailed update on the management of primary cutaneous melanoma in 2024 [...

BAUSSS biomarker improves melanoma survival risk assessment.

Background: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) method of staging melanoma is dated and inaccurate. It ignores important prognostic melanoma features, especially the patient's age. BAUSSS is more accurate in determining survival risk for primary cutaneous melanoma patients who have no clinical or imaging evidence of nodal or distant metastases.

Primary Cutaneous Melanoma-Management in 2024.

: Maximizing survival for patients with primary cutaneous melanomas (melanomas) depends on an early diagnosis and appropriate management. Several new drugs have been shown to improve survival in high-risk melanoma patients. Despite well-documented guidelines, many patients do not receive optimal management, particularly when considering patient age.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is unreliable in predicting melanoma mortality for both younger and older patients.

Background: Melanoma disease patterns vary with patient age.

Aim: To evaluate sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in managing melanoma at differing patient ages.

Methods: Online prediction tools were applied to compare SLNB positivity (SLNB) and survival risk at patient ages 20-80.

Online prediction tools for melanoma survival: A comparison.

Background: Breslow thickness, patient age and ulceration are the three most valuable clinical and pathological predictors of melanoma survival. A readily available reliable online tool that accurately considers these and other predictors could be valuable for clinicians managing melanoma patients.

Objective: To compare online melanoma survival prediction tools that request user input on clinical and pathological features.

Fixed drug eruptions - the common and novel culprits since 2000.

A fixed drug eruption (FDE) is a common cutaneous adverse drug reaction which occurs following administration of an offending drug. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the list of drugs causing FDE, with a focus on emerging drug culprits reported since the start of the century. Across published literature, triggers for FDE are widely varied.

Keratoacanthoma: Update on the Debate.

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a cutaneous tumor with a biphasic pattern of growth. A rapidly growing phase is usually followed by involution. KA occurs on sun-damaged skin.

Merkel cell carcinoma update: the case for two tumours.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive tumour with neuroendocrine differentiation. Clinically significant differences within the entity we know as MCC are apparent. This review aims to evaluate the evidence for differences in tumours within Merkel cell carcinoma and to stratify these.

Cutaneous melanoma: Latest developments.

Background: Several new medications have shown improved survival rates in high-risk patients with melanoma.

Objective: The aim of this article is to discuss the new medications and outline their roles, the expected benefit from each and the risk of adverse events. We explain the place of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration (US-FNA) in assessing and treating patients with melanoma.

Management of invasive melanoma.

Background: Maximising survival for patients with invasive melanoma hinges on early diagnosis of primary melanoma and appropriate management. Despite well-documented guidelines, many patients with melanoma have not been managed ideally.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to identify suboptimal aspects of melanoma management.

The characteristics of Mohs surgery performed by dermatologists who learned the procedure during residency training or through postgraduate courses and observational preceptorships.

Little is known about the practice characteristics of Mohs surgery performed by physicians who learned the procedure during their dermatology residency training or through postresidency courses and observational preceptorships. All published reports have investigated Mohs surgeons trained in postresidency fellowships. This report presents the results of a multicenter prospective cohort study evaluating 1834 consecutive Mohs surgery cases performed during the same 6-month period by 9 Mohs surgeons who learned the technique in residency or in postresidency courses and observational preceptorships.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy now has a limited role in melanoma management.

SLNB is confirmed as a prognostic test but does not influence melanoma-specific survival at 10 years. SLNB-negative patients still need regular review and can still die from their melanoma. SLNB-positive patients should be carefully counselled regarding the risks and very limited benefit (if any) of proceeding to CL.