Complete remission of cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases of the scalp with imiquimod therapy.
Multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases represent a therapeutic challenge. A 63-year-old man presented with multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases on his right parieto-occipital region that appeared ten weeks after surgical excision of the primary tumor. Staging showed no further metastases. Because of the large area of cutaneous metastatic spread, the location and the limited possibility of a complete excision, we decided to begin immunomodulatory therapy with imiquimod applied for eight hours daily five days a week. After six weeks of imiquimod monotherapy, a partial remission of the cutaneous metastases had occurred. After 17 months, the remission of these metastases was complete. Four months later the patient is still free of cutaneous, visceral, cerebral and lymph node metastases.
Heber
Giada
G
Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Clinic of Leipzig, Germany. giada.heber@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Helbig
Doris
D
Pönitzsch
Iris
I
Wetzig
Tino
T
Harth
Wolfgang
W
Simon
Jan-Christoph
JC
D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod