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Updated: May 22, 2026
Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) with Melphalan as a Treatment for Unresectable Metastases Confined to the Liver
Published on: July 31, 2016
Two cases of partial hepatectomy for malignant melanoma
Aaron I Karlen1, Justin J Clark, Linda L Wong
1University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96821, USA. akarlen@gmail.com
Background:
While the liver is a frequent site of metastatic spread for malignant cutaneous as well as malignant ocular melanoma, isolated hepatic metastases without evidence of systemic disease is rare. Hepatic resection has been proposed as a therapeutic and potentially curative procedure in metastatic melanoma patients with isolated hepatic metastases.
Objective:
To report two metastatic melanoma patients with isolated hepatic metastases treated with partial hepatectomy. In addition, the literature is reviewed and the management and efficacy of surgical excision for isolated hepatic disease in the setting of malignant melanoma is discussed.
Case Report:
A 34-year-old woman with metastatic cutaneous melanoma and a 55-year-old man with metastatic ocular melanoma are presented. Both patients developed isolated hepatic metastases detected during routine surveillance following resection of their primary disease and underwent partial hepatectomy.
Conclusion:
In select cases, partial hepatectomy is an efficacious and potentially curative treatment for metastatic melanoma patients with isolated hepatic metastases.
