Epifocal dinitrochlorobenzene therapy in malignant melanoma (experience during the last eight years)

A total of 50 patients with primary malignant melanomas received epifocal DNCB therapy. In 46 cases the tumors disappeared completely. Therefore, we partly refrained from excision of the treated area. Only 4 melanomas of great thickness did not respond satisfactorily. In the treatment of cutaneous metastases, however, remission was achieved only in one case. The 5-year survival rate for primary tumors was 87.8 +/- 10.55%. We believe that DNCB therapy is indicated especially in superficially growing melanomas, patients with limited operability, or flat melanomas of acral localization, where the patients are spared mutilating operations.