Palliative treatment of skin metastases in dermato-oncology

Patients with metastatic melanoma, but also other solid tumors (e.g., lung or breast cancer), may develop cutaneous metastases in advanced stages. The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms such as pain, fetor, secretions, or bleeding. Current treatment modalities are based on a multimodal treatment approach. Beside surgery, treatment options such as electrochemotherapy, isolated limb perfusion, radiotherapy, and local administration of cytokines or chemotherapy agents are available. In case of concomitant visceral metastases, this local treatment approach may not affect overall survival, but the palliation of these tumor-associated symptoms very often improves the quality of life for the patient.