title: Is radiotherapy an effective treatment option for recurrent metastatic malignant melanoma? A case report of short-course, large-fraction radiation and a literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malignant melanoma is regarded to be radiation resistant. A case of recurrent malignant melanoma with in-transit metastasis treated with short-course, high-fraction palliative radiation is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 80-year-old woman initially treated surgically for a primary malignant melanoma of the left lower leg presented with multiple in-transit metastases. Palliative radiation was offered to treat two fungating in-transit masses that were resistant to treatments of isolated limb infusion and intralesional interleukin-2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment consisted of short-course, high-fraction radiation with 800 cGy fractions given over three weeks on days 0, 7 and 21, for a total dose of 2400 cGy. She experienced a complete response that was maintained for six months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiation is an effective treatment option for palliation of recurrent malignant melanoma. Complete response is possible even with short-course, high-fraction radiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario.
authors.forename: Abhirami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hallock
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vujovic
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yu