Treatment of malignant melanoma by fast neutrons

Fast neutron therapy has been used to treat 87 tumours of primary, recurrent or metastatic melanoma in 48 patients. Complete regression has been obtained in 71 percent of tumours and 91 per cent of all tumours were controlled for the remainder of the patients, lives. Median survival was 14.5 months; 30 of the 34 deaths were due to metastases. Complications arose in 22 per cent of sites and were either fibrosis, which was related to large treated areas, previous surgery or a higher than standard dose, or necrosis which was related to sites with poor circulation, such as in the lower limb. It is suggested that for the treatment of advanced local disease fast neutron therapy is more effective than X-ray treatment and has a local control rate similar to that of surgery.