Isolated limb infusion for melanoma: a simple alternative to isolated limb perfusion.

OBJECTIVE

To describe initial experience with the new technique of isolated limb infusion (ILI) for in-transit melanoma.

DESIGN

A prospective case series.

SETTING

The major tertiary care oncology centre for the state of Victoria, Australia.

PATIENTS: Nine patients having for extensive in-transit limb melanoma

INTERVENTIONS: All patients received ILI (13 treatments).

OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient survival, response to treatment and complications of treatment.

RESULTS

There were no perioperative deaths and morbidity was limited to deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in 1 patient. Control of the in-transit metastases was achieved to some degree in all patients and was complete in 4.

CONCLUSIONS

ILI is an alternative treatment modality for patients suffering from multiple, advanced in-transit melanoma metastases. It provides effective palliation with limited morbidity and offers a safe, quick, inexpensive alternative to isolated limb perfusion with comparable results.