Palliative radiotherapy for recurrent and metastatic malignant melanoma: prognostic factors for tumor response and long-term outcome: a 20-year experience

Malignant Melanoma S3‐Guideline “Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow‐up of Melanoma”

“…There are no larger studies with regard to primary radiation therapy of inoperable melanomas of other types. It is safe to assume that respective results are comparable to studies on palliative radiation therapy for metastases and that an objective response can be achieved in the majority of cases, in some cases even complete resolution [93]. Data on postoperative radiation therapy of primary tumors is available for desmoplastic melanoma in particular, as the risk for local recurrence is especially high in this type.…”

“…Systematic search of the literature de-novo: [93,[409][410][411][412] Strength of consensus: 100 % P. Feyer Current trial data reveals a good response of satellite and in-transit metastases to local radiation therapy [409,411]. In-transit and satellite metastases may represent an indication for palliative radiation therapy.…”

“…Irradiation with fast electrons is preferable in superficial tumors, whereas deeper tumors are irradiated with photons after CT-based 3D planning. Applied doses vary prognosis-dependent between 5 × 4 Gy, 10 × 3 Gy or 20 to 25 × 2 Gy [93]. By additionally applying hyperthermia, complete response rates may be raised up to 62 % [411].…”

“…Systematic search of the literature de-novo: [93,[412][413][414][528][529][530][531][532][533] Strength of consensus: 96 %…”

“…There is a total of 10 case series and retrospective analyses, partly with larger patient groups, on radiation therapy in stage IV melanoma metastases to the skin, subcutis, or lymph nodes [93,[412][413][414][528][529][530][531][532][533]. Frequently, however, the primary study objective was not the efficacy of radiation therapy, but rather the effect of additional measures such as hyperthermia.…”