Interferon Toxicities in Melanoma Treatment

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with a pharmacy claim for IFN between 1/1/2007 and 12/31/2011. The date of the first observed claim will be defined as the index date * Patients with a melanoma diagnosis based on two medical claims prior to the index date * Patients with a procedure code for melanoma-related lymph node dissection before the index date * Patients ≥ 18 years of age on or before the index date * Patients with continuous benefit enrollment for at least 180 days before and after the index date Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with diagnosis of any other (primary) cancer during the 180-day pre-index period (excepting skin cancers and hematologic malignancies) * Patients with diagnosis of a secondary cancer during the 180-day pre-index period or on the index date (excepting lymph node metastasis to a site common for melanoma or an improbable site for any other primary cancer) * Patients who received systemic chemotherapy during the pre- or post-index period