Some factors of importance in the radiation treatment of malignant melanoma. 1986

J Overgaard, and M Overgaard, and P V Hansen, and H von der Maase

The results of radiotherapy in 204 lesions of malignant melanoma in 114 patients were analysed with regard to radiobiological parameters such as total dose, dose per fraction, treatment time, tumour volume and also by various fractionation models. Ninety-seven of 204 lesions showed a complete response (CR) which was persistent in 80. Neither total dose, treatment time nor various modifications of the nominal standard dose (NSD) concept showed any well-defined correlation with response. There was, however, a significant relationship between dose per fraction and response so that high doses per fraction yielded a significantly better response (24% CR for doses less than 4 Gy vs. 57% CR for doses greater than or equal to 4 Gy, p less than 0.001). The lack of influence of treatment time influence allowed an analysis of the data according to the linear-quadratic model yielding an alpha/beta ratio of 2.5 Gy. Using this ratio, an iso-effect for different fractionation schedules could be estimated by the extrapolated total dose (ETD). This was further improved when corrected for the other important parameter which was tumour volume. Thus, an iso-effect formular for malignant melanomas could be calculated as ETDvol = D X ((d + 2.5)/2.5) X M-0.33 where d is total dose and dose per fraction in Gy, respectively and M is mean diameter (cm). The 50% response for ETDvol was found to be 86 Gy. This formular seems to be currently the best way to determine an optimal radiation schedule for effective radiation treatment of malignant melanoma. Treatment of 45 patients with only local or regional disease showed 26 patients who achieved local tumour control with a 56% 3-year survival compared to no survivors among 19 patients in whom the disease could not be controlled locally. This indicated that proper attention should be given to the local treatment of recurrent melanoma since this has important implications for survival. Successful treatment of malignant melanoma may be possible when the special radiobiological features of the disease are taken into account.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008545 Melanoma A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445) Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D009364 Neoplasm Recurrence, Local The local recurrence of a neoplasm following treatment. It arises from microscopic cells of the original neoplasm that have escaped therapeutic intervention and later become clinically visible at the original site. Local Neoplasm Recurrence,Local Neoplasm Recurrences,Locoregional Neoplasm Recurrence,Neoplasm Recurrence, Locoregional,Neoplasm Recurrences, Local,Recurrence, Local Neoplasm,Recurrence, Locoregional Neoplasm,Recurrences, Local Neoplasm,Locoregional Neoplasm Recurrences,Neoplasm Recurrences, Locoregional,Recurrences, Locoregional Neoplasm
D011879 Radiotherapy Dosage The total amount of radiation absorbed by tissues as a result of radiotherapy. Dosage, Radiotherapy,Dosages, Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy Dosages
D011882 Radiotherapy, High-Energy Radiotherapy using high-energy (megavolt or higher) ionizing radiation. Types of radiation include gamma rays, produced by a radioisotope within a teletherapy unit; x-rays, electrons, protons, alpha particles (helium ions) and heavy charged ions, produced by particle acceleration; and neutrons and pi-mesons (pions), produced as secondary particles following bombardment of a target with a primary particle. Megavolt Radiotherapy,High-Energy Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy, Megavolt,High Energy Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy, High Energy
D004307 Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation The relationship between the dose of administered radiation and the response of the organism or tissue to the radiation. Dose Response Relationship, Radiation,Dose-Response Relationships, Radiation,Radiation Dose-Response Relationship,Radiation Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Radiation Dose-Response,Relationships, Radiation Dose-Response
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012878 Skin Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the SKIN. Cancer of Skin,Skin Cancer,Cancer of the Skin,Neoplasms, Skin,Cancer, Skin,Cancers, Skin,Neoplasm, Skin,Skin Cancers,Skin Neoplasm
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor

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