Results of regional isolated perfusion for locally inoperable melanoma of the limbs

In the period 1978-1990, 49 patients with locally inoperable melanoma of the limbs were treated with regional isolated perfusion according to four different perfusion schedules. Perfusion resulted in a complete remission in 28 patients (57%), with a median duration of 10 (1-55+) months, and a partial remission in 10 (21%), with a median duration of 3 (1-9) months. In patients treated with a double (normothermic or sequential hyperthermic) perfusion schedule the complete remission rate was higher. Regional lymph node involvement reduced the chance of achieving complete remission. Twelve patients with complete remission (43%) showed a relapse in the perfused area. The corresponding 3-year limb recurrence-free interval was 46%. This interval was mainly influenced by the number of lesions at the moment of perfusion. Three of the patients who failed to respond eventually required amputation of the affected limb. The median follow-up of the surviving patients was 23 (5- 142) months. At the time of analysis 23 patients were still alive, 12 of whom had no evidence of disease. Patients with complete remission had a slightly, though statistically not significant better 3-year survival rate than patients without complete remission (49% vs 33%). Regional isolated perfusion halted progression in all of these 49 patients and resulted in a complete remission for 57%. It is, therefore, an important modality in the management of patients with locally inoperable melanoma and provides a valuable alternative to amputation.