Although this activity is no longer certified for credit, we believe that it contains important information and hope you'll review, print or email it to a colleague.

Accreditation extended through June 2008
Melanoma Care Options™ Issue 3: Distant Disease

A case-based discussion of strategies for managing primary melanoma.

Authors: Marc S. Ernstoff, MD (Editor)
Douglas Kondziolka, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS
Douglas S. Reintgen, MD
Jon D. Smith, RN

1. Interested in reading the publication and earning CME credits online? Click here to register, click here to download the publication and click here to take the CME test and evaluation on line.

2. Just want to download the publication? Click here to download the publication. You can always print out and fax the CME information to us later.

Continuing Medical Education Information

Instructions for Participation:

• Read the case presentations and comments in the newsletter
• Fill out the CME test and evaluation online or complete the posttest questions and evaluation form at the end of the newsletter, and fax or mail them to our office

To receive a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^™ for this activity:

• 70% of your posttest answers must be correct for you to receive a certificate of credit

To receive up to 1.8 CNE credits for this activity:

• Within 4 weeks of successful completion, a certificate will be mailed to the address provided
• 70% of your posttest answers must be correct for you to receive a certificate of credit

Target Audience

This activity is directed toward dermatologists, dermatologic surgeons, surgical and medical oncologists, general surgeons, oncology nurses, primary care physicians, and other health care professionals who treat or screen for melanoma.

Statement of Need

The prognosis for patients with distant metastatic melanoma, classified as stage IV melanoma by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, is poor with currently available therapies. Therefore, it is important that clinicians be familiar with the most current evidence-based treatment for the management of distant metastatic melanoma to improve long-term survival. This publication describes in detail the management of distant metastatic melanoma and discusses important controversies that arise when caring for this patient population.

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the participants will be able to:

• Describe the role of surgical resection in distant metastatic melanoma
• Compare and contrast systemic therapy options for distant melanoma
• Outline the role of the nurse as part of the team managing distant metastatic melanoma
• Describe options for management of melanoma brain metastases

Accreditation and Credit Designation

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^™. Each physician should claim only those credits commensurate with the extent of his or her participation in the activity.

1.8 contact hours of Continuing Nursing Education will be granted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center�s Commission on Accreditation.

Contributing Authors and Disclosure

We gratefully acknowledge an educational grant from Schering-Plough Corporation in support of this activity.

Marc S. Ernstoff, MD
Professor of Medicine
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, New Hampshire
Grants/Research Support: National Institutes of Health, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Berlex Laboratories, Chiron Inc, Schering-Plough Corporation, Pfizer Inc; Consultant: Chiron Inc; Speakers� Bureaus: Berlex Laboratories, Chiron Inc, Schering-Plough Corporation, Pfizer Inc.

Douglas Kondziolka, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS
Peter J. Jannetta Professor
Vice-Chairman of Neurological Surgery
Professor of Radiation Oncology
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Consultant: Elekta Instruments.

Douglas S. Reintgen, MD
Director, Lakeland Regional Cancer Center
Lakeland, Florida
Speakers� Bureau: Schering Oncology.

Jon D. Smith, RN
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Seattle, Washington
Speakers� Bureau: Schering-Plough Corporation.

Date of Original Release: December 15, 2006
Expiration Date: December 15, 2007
Date of last review: December 15, 2006