Abstract

In this study, 35 patients with malignant melanoma, hospitalized in Department of Surgical Oncology of Medical School of Ankara University in the last three years, were analysed retrospectively. 19 were female (54.3%) and 16 were male (45.7%). The TNM staging was stage I, II, III and IV, in 6, 17,7 and 5 patients respectively. Local excision plus lymph node dissection 16, local excision plus lymph node dissection and isolated perfusion 5, local excision plus lymph node dissection and hyperthermic isolated perfusion 4, and only hyperthermic perfusion were performed. Two patients underwent local excision only, one local excision plus isolated perfusion and one local excision plus hyperthermic isolated perfusion. One patient with a primary unknown tumor underwent lymph node dissection and sytemic chemotherapy. Abdomhoperineal resection and catheterisation of hepatic artery was done in one patient with rectal localisation. In 15 patients, isolated perfusion chemotherapy was administered for palliation in 4 (26.6), induction in 3 (20%) and as adjuvant therapy in 8 (26.6%) patients. These 15 patients given isolated perfusion chemotherapy were discussed, and the literature findings reviewed.