Melanoma Care Options: Dermatology Update
Continuing Medical Education Information

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Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of dermatologists interested in the care of patients with melanoma.

Purpose

Present the latest research in melanoma and discuss current approaches to patient care

Statement of Need/Program Overview

Melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, is the sixth most common cancer occurring in the United States, and incidence rates are increasing faster than for any other cancer. There are many controversial issues in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma, within the specialty of dermatology. This program draws together an expert interdisciplinary faculty, consisting of a dermatology editor and authors in the specialties of dermatology, medical oncology, and surgical oncology, to discuss some of these controversial issues. The issues include whether prevention strategies work, whether early lymph node analysis is important, and whether early discussion of prognosis and therapeutic options is important. Overall, the educational goal is to discuss the best ways for dermatologists to become more active partners in a multidisciplinary approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma.

Educational Objectives

After proper completion of this program, the participant will be able to:

• Describe the impact of melanoma primary prevention and early detection strategies
• Define the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy as a staging and treatment strategy for melanoma
• Compare medical treatment options of malignant melanoma
• Propose a role for the dermatologist in educating patients about the prognosis and treatment options for melanoma

Faculty

Darrell S. Rigel, MD (Chair)
Clinical Professor of Dermatology
New York University Medical Center
New York, New York

Susan M. Swetter, MD
Associate Professor of Dermatology
Director, Pigmented Lesion & Cutaneous Melanoma Clinic
Stanford University Medical Center/VCA Palo Alto Health Care System
Codirector, Stanford Multidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic
Stanford, California

Merrick I. Ross, MD, FACS
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Melanoma Section
Department of Surgical Oncology
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas

Sanjiv S. Agarwala, MD
Chief, Department of Oncology
St. Luke's Medical Center
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Physician Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and PharmAdura, LLC. PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMAPRACategory 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by PIM for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

The planners and managers reported the following financial relationship or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

Method of Participation

There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period November 2006 through November 30, 2007, participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the posttest by recording the best answer to each question in the answer key on the evaluation form; 4) complete the evaluation form; and 5) mail or fax the evaluation form with answer key to Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.

A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and a completed posttest with a score of 70% or better. Your statement of credit will be mailed to you within three weeks.

Media

Monograph

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. PIM, PharmAdura, LLC, and Schering-Plough Corporation do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of PIM, PharmAdura, LLC, and Schering-Plough Corporation. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient's conditions and possible contraindications or dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer's product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

Release date: November, 2006
Expiration date: November 31, 2007
Estimated time to complete activity: 1 hour

The content of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of PharmAdura, LLC.