[Isolated limb hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy for melanoma of the extremities].

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of isolated limb hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy for melanoma of the extremities. METHODS:Limb isolated hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy was performed in 41 patients with malignant melanoma of the extremities, and then the primary lesions in 24 patients were removed at 14 - 21 days after chemotherapy. Tumor necrosis was examined by pathology. RESULTS:Among the 41 patients, 40 cases were followed up for 6-113 months, and one was lost. There was no local recurrence in those patients. 29 cases were followed up for more than 3 years, and 26 of them were surviving. Forteen cases were followed up for more than five years, among them 9 cases were surviving. The 3-year and 5-year survival rates of the whole group were 95.0% and 70.0%, respectively. The average reduction of the tumor volume was 55.6% after perfusion. The pathological examination showed that tumor necrosis was 90% - 100% (complete response) in 21 cases (87.5%) and 60% - 89% (partial response) in 3 cases (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS:The isolated limb hyperthermic perfusion chemotherapy is an effective treatment of limb malignant melanoma. It can significantly reduce the local recurrence rate, and improve the 5-year survival rate, prognosis and the quality of life of the patients.