Welcome Letter

Since the first World Meeting of Interdisciplinary Melanoma/Skin Cancer Centers, which took place in Barcelona, Spain, in September 2007, this congress became a success story. It is an opportunity where clinicians and researchers, who are part of multidisciplinary melanoma centers can interact, learn from one another, establish collaborations and set an agenda for the further evolution of multidisciplinary melanoma care and research. In November 2012, this meeting will be combined with the likewise well-established EADO congress, and the focus will be on melanoma, cutaneous lymphoma and epithelial skin cancers.

The conference will feature Plenary Session speakers who are recognized experts in melanoma and skin cancer treatment and research. These Plenary Sessions will form the scientific backdrop for the meeting, and will highlight problem areas and opportunities in melanoma today. These Plenary Sessions will set the stage for a series of Breakout Sessions, designed to focus attention and lead to new collaborative approaches in key areas where melanoma/skin cancer centers should be taking the lead. The Breakout Sessions will address the following topics:

Messages for Skin Cancer Prevention 

Goals: To develop the right messages for future prevention campaigns. Despite many prevention campaigns since decades the incidence of melanoma and other skin cancers still rises. The question must be asked, if we delivered the right messages in the past. This session aims on a critical discussion of the main messages which were the basis of previous campaigns. The public mainly thinks that avoidance of sunburns and the use of sunscreens are sufficient in order to protect from skin cancer, however, this is obviously not enough. Which messages shall we deliver in the future in order to reach a more effective prevention?

Guideline-Development and International Cooperation 

Goals: To develop strategies for an international cooperation in guideline development. This session shall primarily focus on melanoma. In several countries, guidelines for melanoma have been developed based on a systematic literature research and on a formal consensus process. The question shall be addressed, whether an international knowledge basis can be established, and how this can be continuously updated. Furthermore, the formal process of the guideline development may be standardized. The panel should come to recommendations about these points.

Quality Criteria for Skin Cancer Centers 

Goals: To establish quality criteria for the work of skin cancer centers/programs which are internationally accepted. Skin cancer centers with interdisciplinary tumor boards have been developed in many countries, and in some countries already formal certification processes have been applied. The cornerstones of such centers/programs should be defined and internal recommendations should be formulated. Furthermore, the approach to a formalized process of certification should be described.

Strategies for Melanoma Follow-up Examinations 

Goals: To develop recommendations for the follow-up of melanoma patients which could guide the practice in different countries and to consider clinical trials which could broaden the body of evidence for the melanoma follow-up or for giving up these examinations. Presently, in some countries rather dense follow-up strategies are practiced, whilst in other countries a wait and see policy is predominant. The panel should judge the present body of evidence and identify areas of need for clinical investigation. Furthermore, it should be discussed whether basic recommendation with wide acceptance can be formulated.

The results of the outbreak sessions will be presented by the chairpersons in the following sessions. Thus, all persons attending the conference will be informed on the very recent recommendations for burning questions in melanoma and skin cancer management.

The conference will as a main emphasis address new treatment developments for melanoma and other skin cancers. Already the first session will deal with new treatment options and new clinical trials. It is a major goal of this congress, to cover all new developments and to provide the possibility to discuss the new treatment approaches. A deep insight into the future advances in skin cancer therapy will also be provided by sponsored symposia by the pharmaceutical companies.

Furthermore, the different aspects of epidemiology and prevention, early detection and new diagnostic tools, and of histopathologic diagnosis will be covered. Melanoma surgery and immunotherapy will be discussed in own sessions. Cutaneous lymphoma, actinic keratosis and advanced epithelial cancers are additional topics with own sessions. Thus, an update of all aspects of skin cancer is provided. We look forward to seeing you in Barcelona in November 2012!