The value of metastasectomy in stage IV cutaneous melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive neoplasia of melanocytes. Prognosis is dependent on tumor stage. Stage IV melanoma is characterized by the occurrence of distant metastases. Response of metastases to classical chemotherapy is limited and toxicity of treatment is high. In recent years, new developments in immunotherapy and targeted therapies improved prognosis of stage IV melanoma patients with better tolerability of treatment. There is no dispute about surgical treatment of primary melanoma. But what is the value of metastasectomy in the era of new systemic treatments? This review aims to discuss available data for surgical removal of distant metastases for several organs and tissues. The available evidence suggests that for selected patients with possible complete resection of all tumor metastases, metastasectomy remains an effective treatment option with a benefit in overall survival.