Radiotherapy as palliative treatment for metastatic melanoma

This study aimed to assess the response rate and efficacy of palliative radiation therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma. From 1993 to 1999, 28 patients with 35 irradiated areas were treated with palliative radiotherapy for metastatic melanoma in the Radiotherapy Department of the Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France. Of these, 19 (68%) patients had bone and soft tissue metastases, seven (25%) patients had brain metastases and two (7%) patients had both types of metastases. Most of the patients were treated with 30 Gy of irradiation in 10 fractions over 2 weeks or 20 Gy in five fractions over 1.5 weeks. Of those with bone metastases, 67% responded to palliative bone treatment with good pain relief and/or decompression. Of the patients with brain metastases, 57% had amelioration of neurological function deficits, 29% did not respond, and one patient showed aggravation of his disease and did not finish the course of irradiation. Two patients with unresectable disease obtained partial remission and good palliation of symptoms. In conclusion, short-course radiotherapy has a role to play in the palliation of metastatic melanoma, with good relief of symptoms.