Radiation therapy following nodal surgery for melanoma: an analysis of late toxicity.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Burmeister BH; Queensland Radium Institute, South Brisbane, Australia. B.Burmeister@mailbox.uq.edu.au; Smithers BM; Davis S; Spry N; Johnson C; Krawitz H; Baumann KC
- Source
- Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia Country of Publication: Australia NLM ID: 101086634 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1445-1433 (Print) Linking ISSN: 14451433 NLM ISO Abbreviation: ANZ J Surg Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1445-1433
Background: The role of adjuvant radiation therapy following resection of malignant melanoma involving regional lymph nodes remains controversial. There is no published randomized trial comparing surgery alone to surgery with postoperative radiation therapy that shows a benefit in terms of local control. Some retrospective studies, however, suggest that radiation given postoperatively reduces local recurrence. One of the obstacles to patients routinely being offered radiation therapy is the concern over the added late toxicity that may occur. The present article is a report of the first 130 patients of a prospective phase II multicentre study in Australia and New Zealand.
Methods: The study was aimed at patients who had had a resection of melanoma in regional nodes or in a regional node basin. The patients were given adjuvant radiation therapy to a recommended dose of 48 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks using accepted radiation techniques for each of the major node sites. This report describes the late toxicity of the treatment received by these patients.
Results: The results of late toxicity experienced in the study were acceptable.
Conclusion: The regimen of radiation therapy used could form the basis for the treatment arm of a randomized trial.