Current status of hyperthermic limb perfusion for in-transit melanoma.
In-transit disease is a unique form of regional lymphatic spread of melanoma that is considered an infrequent event although certain high-risk subgroups have been identified with higher incidence rates. Although this disease entity is associated with a high risk for distant relapse, regionally focused treatment of disease is important due to the high morbidity associated with in-transit disease. Isolated limb perfusion has been a utilized method of regional treatment since the 1950's. The technical aspects, indications, historical results, and toxicity of limb perfusion are reviewed. Finally, perfusion based treatment of in-transit melanoma is an excellent model for studying novel agents and regimens in both the pre-clinical and patient care setting.
Ross
Merrick I
MI
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mross@mdanderson.org
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion / Q000379:methods*; D005121:Extremities; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008558:Melphalan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008558:Melphalan