Skin Cancer

Confusion about sunscreen options and ingredients can lead to inadequate sun protection and increased skin cancer risk. The Environmental Working Group has resources to help.

The FDA has approved ipilimumab (Yervoy) for the treatment of patients aged ≥ 12 years with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

The immunotherapy agent, avelumab (Bavencio) is the first drug to receive approval to treat Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare form of skin cancer. Carrie Best was the first patient to enroll in a clinical trial of avelumab, the first to receive the drug for Merkel cell carcinoma, and the first to become cancer-free.

Even if a patient is being treated for melanoma, they should still be getting examined for new primary melanomas, as well as skin-related adverse events.

For patients with high-risk melanoma, the best option is effective adjuvant therapy which necessitates clincal trials.

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not agree with the need for yearly full-body skin exams, which many healthcare providers support.

Increasing awareness of the dangers of sun exposure involves not only patient and caregiver education, but also nurses setting a positive example themselves.

The Environmental Working Group has issued published its 11th annual guide including information on beach and sport sunscreens, moisturizers and lip products containing Sun Protection Factor (SPF).

Overall survival for patient with cutaneous melanoma was significantly lower for non-white patients, indicating a need for more emphasis on screening and awareness in these populations.

Rajni Kannan, BS, MS, RN, APN-BC, discusses the management of patients receiving combination immunotherapy.

While patients with stage III or IV melanoma who received a higher dose of ipilimumab did live longer than those on a lower dose, there was also greater toxicity.

Jose Lutzky, MD, discusses the importance of proactive patient monitoring with patients receiving immunotherapy treatments.

The FDA has granted an accelerated approval to immunotherapy agent avelumab for the treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.

Ragini Kudchadkar, MD, explains what nurses should keep in mind when treating patients with basal cell carcinoma.

Robert Andtbacka, MD, CM, notes the importance of treating the patient’s emotional needs, as well as the needs of the patient’s family.

Richard Carvajal, MD, discusses the importance of a multidisciplinary approach when monitoring patients for immunotherapy toxicities.

Dr. Robert Andtbacka explains the important role the nurse plays before and after surgery for melanoma.

Morganna Freeman discusses how nurses can prepare for side effect management in clinical trials.

Ragini Kudchadkar, MD, explains how nurses can communication with patients with merkel and basal cell carcinoma, who may not have access to the internet.

Richard Carvajal, MD, discusses how to make decisions regarding the dosing limits of immunotherapy agents.

Claire Friedman discusses the factors clinicians should consider when determining an immunotherapy treatment plan for older patients.

Incidence and mortality of melanoma in the US has risen steadily.

Nonburning sun exposure is associated with a reduced risk of melanoma, while sunburns are associated with a doubling of the risk of melanoma

Omid Hamid, MD, compares the responses of patients with melanoma on single-agent immunotherapy treatment to those on combination therapy treatments.

Yvonne Saenger, MD, from Columbia University, gives a rundown of the immunotherapy options for treating melanoma.

Immunotherapy is changing the cancer treatment game as therapies continue to be approved for more and more tumor types. This creates more responsibilities for oncology nurses.

Morganna Freeman, DO, FCAP, from The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute gives advice on how to help a patient who is dealing with the stigma associated with melanoma, or other cancers.