Electrochemotherapy in melanoma patients: a single institution experience. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caracò, Corrado; Marone, Ugo; Simeone, Ester; Grimaldi, Antonio Maria; Botti, Gerardo; Del Giudice, Maurizio; Ascierto, Paolo Antonio; Mozzillo, Nicola
• Is Part Of: Melanoma management. Volume 2:Number 2(2015)
• Page Start: 127
• Page End: 132
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: cutaneous metastases -- electrochemotherapy -- in-transit -- loco-regional treatments -- melanoma; Melanoma -- Periodicals; 616.99477005
• DOI: 10.2217/mmt.15.9
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-0885

Abstract

SUMMARY : Aim: This study was undertaken to update the outcome of the treated lesions with electrochemotherapy (ECT) plus intravenous injection of bleomycin in patients with in-transit disease or distant cutaneous metastases in melanoma patients.Patients & methods: 89 patients with relapsed and refractory cutaneous melanoma metastases or in-transit disease were submitted to 126 treatments of ECT.Results: 34 patients (38.2%) had a partial response and 43 had a complete response (48.3%). 12 patients (13.5%) had no change or progressive disease. The objective response rate was 67.5%.Conclusion: The favorable outcome obtained in the present study demonstrates that ECT is a reliable, easy, fast and effective procedure showing benefits in terms of curative and palliative treatment for unresectable cutaneous lesions respecting the quality of life.