Premium
Radiation therapy following nodal surgery for melanoma: An analysis of late toxicity
Author(s) -
Burmeister B. H.,
Smithers B. M.,
Davis S.,
Spry N.,
Johnson C.,
Krawitz H.,
Baumann K. C.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1046/j.1445-2197.2002.02405.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiation therapy , regimen , melanoma , surgery , toxicity , randomized controlled trial , adjuvant therapy , lymph node , chemotherapy , cancer research
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.