Limb sparing treatment of bleeding melanoma recurrence by electrochemotherapy

Electrochemotherapy is an effective local treatment for tumors that combines administration of a chemotherapeutic drug with the subsequent application of electric pulses to the tumor. In addition, it was also found to have a vascular-disrupting effect. We report a case of limb-sparing treatment of bleeding melanoma recurrence by electrochemotherapy

After intravenous application of bleomycin (15,000 IU/m2), 15 runs of electric pulses were applied by hexagonal needle electrodes (1.7 cm in diameter) in the center of the bleeding melanoma recurrence, and an additional 10 runs of electric pulses were delivered via plate electrodes (8 mm) on the rim of the tumor.

Immediately after the administration of electric pulses, the bleeding stopped and did not recur. Crust formation was observed and the lesion decreased in size in a matter of weeks.

We conclude that electrochemotherapy should be considered as a treatment option when dealing with bleeding melanoma recurrences as well as a limb-preserving treatment.