Immunotherapy for melanoma metastatic to the orbit.
OBJECTIVE
To present 3 cases of melanoma metastatic to the orbit treated with various traditional modalities including surgery and chemotherapy and being treated with melanoma vaccines and to present background information on immunotherapy.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 3 patients with melanoma metastatic to the orbit who were treated with melanoma vaccines along with conventional treatments. One patient had known orbital involvement before vaccine treatment; 2 patients had orbital metastases subsequent to vaccine administration.


RESULTS
Patients survived at least 13 months after the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma, with 1 patient surviving 51 months after the onset of metastases and administration of melanoma vaccine.


CONCLUSIONS
Although still unproven, immunotherapy with melanoma vaccines is a promising new treatment modality for metastatic melanoma with few side effects.
Baroody
Michael
M
Pennsylvannia State University, Department of Surgery, USA.
Hartstein
Morris E
ME
Holds
John B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins