The radiotherapy of melanoma

A retrospective review of a series of cases of malignant melanoma is reported. Two hundred and forty-six records of patients irradiated from 1958 to 1976 inclusive reveal a sex ratio of males to females of 1.59 to 1, with mean ages of 52.4 years and 54.4 years respectively. Three patients are lost to follow-up. Two hundred and twenty are deceased. Of 23 living, nine are diseased and 14 are well. Of 60 patients treated aggressively, 10 survived five years: one of 26 irradiated only; three of 11 irradiated before surgery; and six of 23 irradiated after surgery. Of 168 treated by radiotherapy for palliation of growth restraint, one died of disease after five years, and two are alive and well after 10 years! The primary site was treated in 20 cases, with three patients surviving five years. Secondary sites were treated in 226 cases, with 10 patients surviving five years.