The effect of regional perfusion treatment on recurrent melanoma of the extremities

16 patients with cutaneous or subcutaneous melanoma recurrence on an extremity were treated with regional perfusion with Melphalan. 18 perfusions were performed on 15 patients with stage II disease, that is with tumor growth restricted to an extremity including possible regional node metastases. All patients except two had new recurrences within the observation time. However, many of the patients had been treated surgically for recurrences once or several times previously. By comparing the length of the recurrence-free period following surgery alone with that following surgery plus perfusion in the same patients it was shown that perfusion treatment gave a significant extension of the recurrence-free time. Four perfusions were performed on patients in stage III, that is those with distant metastases. These perfusions gave a moderate or good temporary palliation as regards to tumor growths on the extremity. The traditional treatment for melanoma recurrences on an extremity has been surgical excision or less often amputation. An analysis of the literature shows that perfusion, usually combined with excision, seems to give definitely better results than surgical excision alone. There is evidence to suggest that perfusion treatment is even superior to amputation as regards survival; if so an immunological mechanism might be responsible for this effect.