Combined BCG and irradiation treatment of skin metastases originating from malignant melanoma. 1982

S Plesnicar, and Z Rudolf

Treatment with BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) followed by irradiation was attempted to improve response to therapy by cutaneous metastases from malignant skin melanomas. Both agents were applied in low doses, known to cause minimal side effects. Nineteen patients, divided into three groups, entered the clinical trial. The first group consisted of five patients with relatively large metastases that usually appeared as a residual disease in the surgically treated area. Five patients with numerous, large metastases were included in the third group. The treatment sequence consisted of applying BCG intralesionally in doses from 4 x 10(5) to 1.17 x 10(7) viable units. After a free interval, the affected area was irradiated with doses from 1500--2500 ret. Patients with numerous small metastases and those with a small number of larger metastases, i.e., patients of the first and second group, showed a complete response and in these cases regression affected all the noninjected nodules and was also effective when regression could not have been achieved by BCG alone.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007167 Immunotherapy Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. It includes both active and passive immunization as well as immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection. Immunotherapies
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
D005500 Follow-Up Studies Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease. Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001500 BCG Vaccine An active immunizing agent and a viable avirulent attenuated strain of MYCOBACTERIUM BOVIS, which confers immunity to mycobacterial infections. It is used also in immunotherapy of neoplasms due to its stimulation of antibodies and non-specific immunity. Bacillus Calmette Guerin Vaccine,Calmette Guerin Bacillus Vaccine,Calmette's Vaccine,Calmette Vaccine,Calmettes Vaccine,Vaccine, BCG,Vaccine, Calmette's
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

Related Publications

S Plesnicar, and Z Rudolf
March 2002, International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics,
S Plesnicar, and Z Rudolf
January 2005, Acta dermato-venereologica,
S Plesnicar, and Z Rudolf
January 1976, The New England journal of medicine,
S Plesnicar, and Z Rudolf
October 1975, Der Internist,
S Plesnicar, and Z Rudolf
September 1976, Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946),
S Plesnicar, and Z Rudolf
September 2013, Lasers in medical science,
S Plesnicar, and Z Rudolf
February 2014, QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians,
S Plesnicar, and Z Rudolf
February 1974, Canadian Medical Association journal,
Copied contents to your clipboard!