title: Results of 206 isolated limb perfusions for malignant melanoma.
abstract: Between 1976 and 1988, 182 patients--135 females (74.3%) and 47 males (25.7%)--were submitted to 206 isolation perfusions, using melphalan and mild hyperthermia for 34 upper and 172 lower limbs. Stage I melanoma represented 37.4% including 75.4% greater than 1.5 mm Breslow thickness or with regression, ulceration or incisional biopsy. Stage II melanoma included 62.6% of the cases. Peri-operative mortality occurred in 2/182 patients. Amputation was performed within 1 month for toxic reasons in three patients and delayed in six for progressive disease. Regional toxicity consisted in oedema (76%), pain (61%), nerve palsy (24%), thrombosis (7%), septicemia (3%), thrombocyto-granulopenia (1.5%), minor miscellaneous (52%). Mean peripheral leakage was 1.0, 7.8 and 12.4% at respectively 5, 10 and 60 minutes. Projected 5-year disease-free survival was 79% for Stage I and 27% for Stage II. Survival at 5 years was 92% in Stage I and 53.5% in Stage II. Twenty-five patients were perfused twice for recurrence or incomplete response. Although the median disease-free interval was only about 8 months, the 5-year survival was 67%. This may indicate that isolation perfusion renders melanoma metastases less aggressive despite the fact they may recur at a high rate.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery (LOCE), Institut Jules Bordet.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Lejeune
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liénard
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: el Douaihy
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Seyedi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ewalenko
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm; D001365:Axilla; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D007866:Leg; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications
chemical_list: D008558:Melphalan