Spontaneous regression of advanced malignant melanoma

Approximately at every 400th patient with metastasizing melanoma spontaneous regression is observed. In a detailed survey about 68 cases with 16 partial and 52 complete regressions there were no findings of priority relating to gender or age. In 4 cases xeroderma pigmentosum as an accompanying illness was described. Complete remission was documented in 14 cases of cutaneous and subcutaneous metastases, 19 cases of metastatic lymph nodes, and 19 cases of visceral metastases. Among the latter, regression of lung metastases (9) and cerebral metastases (7) were frequent. As concomitant event - regardless of surgical intervention taken place at each observation - 21 cases of febrile infection were noticed and among them erysipelas in 9 cases and postoperative abscesses in 8 cases.