Isolated limb perfusion with melphalan for femoral metastases of breast cancer: case report.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Complications of bone destruction occur in 10-29% of breast cancer patients with skeletal metastases. Palliative treatment consists of systemic chemotherapy, hormonal treatment, radiotherapy, and/or surgery in the case of (impending) fracture. A case is presented where isolated limb perfusion was applied for this indication.

METHODS

A 43-year-old woman with extensive femoral metastases of breast cancer with impending fracture was treated with isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with melphalan. Radiotherapy had resulted only in pain reduction, and intramedullary fixation was opted against because stable fixation was considered not feasible due to the location of the metastases. ILP with high-dose melphalan (10-20 times the amount that can be administered systemically) under normothermic (37-38 degrees C) conditions, resulted in partial remission and reossification.

RESULTS

One year after ILP, until her death 2 years later, due to progressive metastases at other sites, the patient was able to bear weight again on her left leg.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients with symptomatic large bone metastases from breast cancer, and no other treatment options, ILP with melphalan may be used for successful palliation.