Lack of benefit of adjunctive chemotherapy in stage I malignant melanoma: a southwest oncology group study

: In 1975, the Southwest Oncology Group initiated an adjuvant study in localized malignant melanoma testing the value of aggressive chemotherapy using carmustine, hydroxyurea, and dacarbazine versus a control arm. Median disease-free survival was 7.1 years for the control arm and 6 years for the treatment arm. Survival was identical for both arms with 65% of the patients alive at 6 years. We conclude that carmustine, hydroxyurea, and dacarbazine chemotherapy is of no value as adjuvant treatment for localized melanoma.