Patients with stage IV melanoma have usually been treated with systemic therapies; however, the overall survival for patients with this approach is disappointing. A complete surgical resection of metastatic disease to stage IV sites offers the best chance to maximize survival. This review article will present data supporting the position that if a complete metastasectomy is technically feasible, then surgery should be strongly considered the first option for properly selected patients with stage IV melanoma.
Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.