Proton radiotherapy for malignant melanoma of the skin.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Malignant melanoma, a tumor with reduced radiosensitivity, has been suggested to be overcome by a high-dose fractionation radiotherapy. The proton beam presents physical characteristics that enable such high-dose irradiation.

OBJECTIVE:

Our aim is to answer whether or not the proton beam can provide useful treatment for cutaneous melanoma.

METHODS:

Five primary melanomas (4 acral lentiginous and 1 superficial spreading type) and 3 metastatic lymph nodes of 3 different patients were irradiated using the proton beam with a total dose of around 100 Gy fractionated into single doses of approximately 10 Gy.

RESULTS:

All the macular lesions and a tumor lesion of primary melanoma disappeared completely, and other tumor lesions regressed by 80-90%. The 3 metastatic lymph nodes also regressed by 50-90%. No severe radiation-related complication occurred.

CONCLUSION:

Proton radiotherapy may prove to be a useful therapeutic modality for the management of cutaneous malignant melanoma.

• Authors: Y Umebayashi, K Uyeno, H Tsujii, F Otsuka
• Journal: Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) (Dermatology) Vol. 190 Issue 3 Pg. 210-3 ( 1995) ISSN: 1018-8665 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 7599383 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Protons

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Disease-Free Survival
• Female
• Humans
• Lymph Nodes (radiation effects)
• Lymphatic Metastasis (pathology, radiotherapy)
• Male
• Melanoma (pathology, radiotherapy, secondary)
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Protons
• Radiotherapy Dosage
• Radiotherapy, High-Energy
• Remission Induction
• Skin Neoplasms (pathology, radiotherapy)
• Survival Rate