PMID: 9166465Jul 1, 1995Paper

Palliation of regional symptoms of advanced extremity melanoma by isolated limb perfusion with melphalan and high-dose tumor necrosis factor

The Cancer Journal From Scientific American
D L FrakerS A Rosenberg

Abstract

Bulky, symptomatic melanoma of the extremity is a difficult management problem. In some patients, slowly progressive yet extensive regional disease can produce pain, edema, bleeding, and immobility. The use of hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion may provide good regional palliation even in the presence of distant metastatic disease. This study evaluates the ability of isolated limb perfusion using melphalan and high-dose tumor necrosis factor to palliate regional symptoms of locally advanced extremity melanoma. Fifteen patients with symptomatic extremity melanoma were treated for 90 minutes with isolated limb perfusion using mild hyperthermia, tumor necrosis factor at a dose of 4 mg (n = 8) or 6 mg (n = 7) given at the initiation of perfusion, and melphalan, 10 mg/L limb volume, given at 30 minutes into the perfusion. Eleven patients also received three courses of low-dose gamma-interferon, 0.2 mg subcutaneously, once a day for the 2 days preceding surgery and at the initiation of perfusion. Symptomatic improvement was achieved in 9 of 11 patients who had pain, 6 of 6 patients with edema, 5 of 6 patients with decreased extremity mobility, and 5 of 6 with bleeding or severe ulceration. The objective response rate in 14 evaluabl...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.