Professor Guo Jun: Acral and Mucosal Melanoma Specialist
Professor Guo Jun is a senior medical oncologist, professor, and doctoral supervisor at Peking University Cancer Hospital. He is internationally recognized for clinical research and treatment development in melanoma, particularly acral and mucosal melanoma, as well as selected genitourinary cancers.
His work focuses on molecular classification, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, combination treatment, and clinical trials designed for melanoma subtypes that are more common in Asian populations.
International patients can learn more about the hospital, pathology requirements, and treatment planning in our Peking University Cancer Hospital international patient guide.
Clinical and Academic Focus
Professor Guo’s principal areas include:
- acral melanoma;
- mucosal melanoma;
- cutaneous melanoma;
- advanced or metastatic melanoma;
- molecular testing and targeted therapy;
- immune checkpoint therapy;
- treatment after resistance or recurrence;
- selected kidney and urinary tract cancers; and
- clinical-trial evaluation.
Acral Melanoma
Acral melanoma develops on the palms, soles, or beneath the nails. It is a clinically important subtype among Asian patients and differs biologically from melanoma associated with ultraviolet exposure.
Diagnosis can be delayed because lesions may resemble bruises, fungal nail disease, ulcers, or benign pigmentation. Suspicious findings include an enlarging irregular pigmented patch, color variation, bleeding, ulceration, or pigment spreading beyond a nail.
Treatment depends on tumor thickness, ulceration, lymph-node involvement, molecular findings, and spread. Surgery is central for localized disease, while systemic therapy may be needed for high-risk or advanced cancer.
Mucosal Melanoma
Mucosal melanoma arises in areas such as the nasal cavity, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, or genitourinary tract. It is rare and often diagnosed at a more advanced stage because early symptoms can be subtle.
Management may involve surgery, radiation, systemic therapy, or a combination. Because mucosal melanoma differs from common cutaneous melanoma, evidence from one subtype cannot always be applied directly to another.
Molecular Testing
Melanoma testing may include BRAF, KIT, NRAS, NF1, and other alterations, depending on subtype and treatment setting. Acral and mucosal melanomas may have different molecular patterns from sun-related cutaneous melanoma.
A validated actionable alteration may support targeted therapy or clinical-trial consideration. Test quality, tumor content, previous treatment, and specimen age can affect results.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy blocks specific molecular pathways involved in tumor growth. BRAF and MEK inhibitors are established for selected BRAF-mutated melanoma. KIT-directed treatment may help a subset of patients with relevant KIT alterations.
Professor Guo’s research has included targeted approaches designed for acral and mucosal melanoma. A mutation alone does not guarantee response, and treatment availability varies by country, regulatory approval, and clinical setting.
Immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors can produce durable responses in some patients with advanced melanoma. Options may include PD-1-directed therapy, CTLA-4 combinations, or other approaches based on current evidence and availability.
Acral and mucosal melanomas may respond differently from common cutaneous melanoma. Treatment selection should consider disease burden, symptoms, molecular targets, autoimmune history, organ function, and previous therapy.
Immune-related side effects can affect the skin, bowel, liver, lungs, endocrine glands, heart, nervous system, and other organs. New symptoms require prompt medical assessment.
Surgery and Multidisciplinary Care
Localized melanoma treatment may include wide excision, sentinel lymph-node biopsy, lymph-node surgery in selected cases, and reconstruction. Advanced cases may also require surgery or radiation to control symptoms or selected sites of disease.
Multidisciplinary review can involve dermatology, surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, head and neck surgery, gynecology, urology, or gastroenterology, depending on the tumor site.
Clinical Research Contributions
Professor Guo has led influential studies of targeted and immune treatments for acral and mucosal melanoma. His work has helped expand evidence for patient populations underrepresented in earlier global melanoma trials.
Clinical-trial findings should be interpreted according to melanoma subtype, molecular features, treatment history, and eligibility criteria. A published therapy may not be approved or available for every patient.
Who May Consider a Consultation?
A consultation with Professor Guo or the Peking University Cancer Hospital melanoma team may be worth considering when a patient:
- has acral, nail, or mucosal melanoma;
- has advanced or metastatic melanoma;
- needs pathology review or confirmation of subtype;
- has an uncommon KIT, BRAF, or other molecular alteration;
- has progressed after immunotherapy or targeted therapy;
- needs a second opinion on surgery and systemic treatment;
- wants to assess potential clinical-trial options; or
- requires multidisciplinary management of a rare melanoma site.
Medical Records to Prepare
International patients should prepare:
- a concise medical summary and exact treatment timeline;
- clinical and dermoscopic photographs of the original lesion;
- CT, MRI, PET-CT, and other staging imaging in original format;
- pathology reports, glass slides, and paraffin blocks;
- BRAF, KIT, NRAS, PD-L1, and broader sequencing results when available;
- operative, sentinel-node, and radiation records;
- every systemic treatment with dates, dose, response, and toxicity;
- recent blood count, liver and kidney function, and relevant hormone tests;
- current symptoms and performance status; and
- a clear list of treatment priorities and questions.
Pathology re-review is particularly important because melanoma subtype, depth, ulceration, margins, and molecular testing can change treatment recommendations.
Planning an International Consultation
Before traveling, patients should confirm whether records, pathology, and molecular results can be reviewed, whether an in-person examination is required, and whether additional staging is needed.
Remote medical-record review is subject to physician authorization. It may help clarify the next step, but final treatment and clinical-trial eligibility require complete assessment by the treating team.
How CMCS Can Assist
CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai is an independent medical concierge and health management company, not a hospital. We assist international patients with organizing and translating oncology records, imaging, pathology, and molecular reports; identifying an appropriate specialist; requesting appointment availability; arranging interpretation; and planning medical travel in China.
Access to Professor Guo, remote review, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, surgery, or clinical trials is subject to the doctor’s and hospital’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, treatment eligibility, trial enrollment, or clinical outcomes.
For assistance, contact CMCS:
- Email: contract@medicalsh.com
- WhatsApp: Contact us on WhatsApp
- Website: www.medicalsh.com
Important Note
Doctor titles, clinical roles, biomarker requirements, medicine approvals, trial availability, and appointment arrangements may change. Patients should confirm current information before travel. This profile is based on publicly available hospital and academic sources and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified melanoma team.
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