[Electrochemotherapy of melanoma cutaneous metastases].
Electrochemotherapy is an effective treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases in patients with malignant melanoma. During the treatment, electric pulses are applied to tumor nodules to deliver non-permeating or poorly permeating chemotherapeutic agents into the cells thereby increasing local cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs.


METHODS
In 7 patients 81 cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases were treated with electrochemotherapy. All treatments were performed under general anesthesia using intravenous bleomycin injection. Median follow-up was 218 days.


RESULTS
Complete response rate was 25%, partial response rate was 43%. We observed no change in 26%, and progressive disease in 6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Electrochemotherapy is a simple and effective treatment of single or multiple cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases of melanoma, with minimal side effects. Our results confirm the results of recently published studies that the treatment used for palliation has clinical benefit and impact on the quality of life.
Kis
Erika
E
Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, Borgyógyászati és Allergológiai Klinika, Szeged. plaszitka@yahoo.com
Szegesdi
Ilona
I
Ocsai
Henriette
H
Gyulai
Rolland
R
Kemény
Lajos
L
Oláh
Judit
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018450:Disease Progression; D053672:Electrochemotherapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D001761:Bleomycin