Melanoma: treatment guidelines for patients (Part 1).

The mutual goal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Cancer Society partnership is to provide patients and the general public with state of the art cancer treatment information in understandable language. This treatment information is based on the professional guidelines developed by the NCCN. It is intended to assist patients in a discussion with their doctor about the treatment that is best for their specific situation. Part I of these guidelines addresses melanoma risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, stages, prevention, and clinical trials. Part II (June 2005) will describe decision trees for evaluation and treatment.