radiotherapy

Last reviewed 07/2022

A majority of malignant melanomas are resistant to radiotherapy  but good results have been reported from the primary treatment of lentigo maligna melanoma and ocular melanoma (1).

The use of radiotherapy is therefore on a symptomatic basis.

• treatment of painful metastatic bone disease and brain secondaries
• sometimes used to palliate disease at many sites, particularly cutaneous metastatic deposits
• response rate is 40% at best

Reference:

• (1) Markovic SN et al. Malignant melanoma in the 21st century, part 2: staging, prognosis, and treatment. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82(4):490-513.