The role of radiotherapy in the palliation of cutaneous melanoma metastases: A case series of 3 patients

Purpose: The prevalence of melanoma in Australasia is 37.7 per 100,000 in men and 29.4 per 100,000 in women. Although the primary modality for treatment remains surgical, adjuvant therapies such as radiotherapy are often called into use for palliation in stage IV disease. The treatment of disseminated dermal deposits presents a particular challenge for which we have had a very favourable response with the use of brachytherapy or high dose radiation (HDR). Methodology: Waikato Hospital in New Zealand offers brachytherapy to palliative patients as an option to control cutaneous metastases. This case series consists of three patients who underwent treatment with brachytherapy for cutaneous metastases delivered by surface moulds. Results: No further recurrence in any of our patients with a maximum time of 21 months. Conclusion: We would advocate the use of brachytherapy in certain clinical situations as a useful palliative treatment for disseminated dermal melanoma metastases which are otherwise very difficult to control. (C) 2010 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.