High-Dose Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With Stage II or Stage III Melanoma

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed primary melanoma of cutaneous origin

  * Stage II (T3 N0 M0 1.5-4.0 mm Breslow depth)

    * Clinically negative regional lymph node pathologic status unknown OR
    * Histologically negative regional lymph nodes
  * Stage III (T4 N0 M0)

    * Greater than 4.0 mm Breslow depth OR
  * Stage III (T1-4 N1)

    * One lymph node positive microscopically
* Patients must meet at least 1 of the following criteria:

  * T2b N0 - primary melanoma 1.01-2.0 mm with ulceration, node negative
  * T3a-b N0 - primary melanoma 2.01-4.0 mm with and without ulceration, node negative
  * T4a-b N0 - primary melanoma \> 4.0 mm with or without ulceration, node negative
  * T1a N1a-2a (microscopic) - primary melanoma of any thickness with microscopically positive lymph node (any number)
* Patients with a positive sentinel node should undergo complete lymphadenectomy of the nodal basin prior to study
* Must complete all primary therapy (wide excision with or without lymphadenectomy) and be randomized in this study within 84 days of wide excision
* Must have undergone an adequate wide excision of the primary lesion
* Age 18 and over (For ECOG patients only, patients must be \>=10 years)
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance status of 0-1
* Adequate hematopoietic, hepatic, and renal function based on the following tests:

  * White blood cell (WBC) cout at least 3,000/mm\^3
  * Platelet count at least 125,000/mm\^3
  * Hematocrit at least 30%
  * Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
  * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN
  * If lactate dehydrogenase or alkaline phosphatase is above normal, a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver is required to document the absence of tumor
  * Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) no greater than 33 mg/dL OR Creatinine no greater than 1.8 mg/dL
* No other concurrent or prior malignancies within the past 5 years except:

  * Cancer in situ
  * Lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast
  * Carcinoma in situ of the cervix
  * Atypical melanocytic hyperplasia or Clark 1 melanoma in situ
  * Basal or squamous cell skin cancer
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinical, radiological/laboratory, or pathological evidence of incompletely resected melanoma or any distant metastatic disease
* Clinically palpable lymphadenopathy
* Evidence of organic brain syndrome or significant impairment of basal cognitive function or any psychiatric disorder that would preclude study participation
* Other significant medical or surgical condition, or any medication or treatment regimens, that would interfere with study participation
* Pregnant or nursing
* Other history of invasive melanoma
* Autoimmune disorders or conditions of immunosuppression
* History of active ischemic heart disease
* Cerebrovascular disease
* Congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease)
* Prior or concurrent chemotherapy
* Prior immunotherapy including tumor vaccines, interferon, interleukins, levamisole, or other biologic response modifiers for melanoma
* Concurrent systemic corticosteroids including oral steroids (i.e., prednisone, dexamethasone), topical steroid creams or ointments, or any steroid-containing inhalers
* Prior or concurrent radiotherapy
* Other concurrent immunosuppressive medications