Liver resection and cryotherapy for metastatic melanoma

Previous studies suggest that surgical treatment of metastatic melanoma in carefully selected patients does improve survival. This paper assesses the survival of melanoma patients with hepatic metastases who underwent surgery in our unit. Fifteen (0.64%) patients had hepatic melanoma metastases. Seven patients underwent curative surgery. Surgical intervention included curative as well as palliative control of hepatic disease. Overall survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Median survival for the 15 patients was 7 months. Median survival time in the curative surgical group and the palliative/nonsurgical group was 22 and 6 months, respectively. Patients with ocular primary, single lesions, and unilobar disease had a better outcome. Those who were selected and underwent surgery had a better overall survival compared with patients who are treated nonoperatively. Resection of hepatic melanoma metastases has a role in selected patients.