Radiotherapy for melanotic freckles

Non-Operative Options for Loco-regional Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is the 5th most common cancer and stage IV melanoma accounts for approximately 4% of new melanoma diagnoses in the United States. The prognosis for regionally advanced disease is poor, but there have been numerous recent advances in the medical management of melanoma in-transit metastases. The goal of this paper is to review currently accepted treatment options for in-transit metastases and introduce emerging therapies. Therapies to be discussed include limb perfusion and infusion, immunotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and radiation therapy.

Radiotherapy for lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma - a systematic review

Lentigo maligna (LM) is the most common subtype of in situ melanoma und occurs frequently in the sun-exposed head and neck region in elderly patients. The therapeutic “gold standard” is surgical excision, as there is the risk of progression to invasive (lentigo maligna) melanoma (LMM). However, surgery is not feasible in certain patients due to age, comorbidities or patient preference. Radiotherapy using Grenz rays or superficial X-rays has been established as non-invasive alternative for the treatment of LM and LMM. We performed a systematic literature search of MEDLINE and Embase databases in September 2019 and identified 14 patient series using radiotherapy for LM or LMM. No prospective trials were found. The 14 studies reported a total of 1243 lesions (1075 LM and 168 LMM) treated with radiotherapy. Local recurrence rates ranged from 0 to 31% and were comparable to surgical series in most of the reports on radiotherapy. Superficial radiotherapy was prescribed in 5–23 fractions with a total dose of 35–57 Gy. Grenz ray therapy was prescribed in 42–160 Gy in 3–13 fractions with single doses up to 20 Gy. Cosmetic results were reported as “good” to “excellent” for the majority of patients.

In conclusion, the available low-level evidence suggests that radiotherapy may be a safe and effective treatment for LM and LMM. Data from prospective trials such as the phase 3 RADICAL trial are needed to confirm these promising findings and to compare radiotherapy to other non-surgical therapies and to surgery.

A systematic review of non-surgical treatments for lentigo maligna

Lentigo maligna (LM) is the most common melanocytic malignancy of the head and neck. If left untreated, LM can progress to lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). Complete surgical excision is the gold standard for treatment, however, due to the location, size, and advanced age of patients, surgery is not always acceptable. As a result, there is ongoing interest in alternative, less invasive treatment modalities. The objective was to provide a structured review of key literature reporting the use of radiotherapy, imiquimod and laser therapy for the management of LM in patients where surgical resection is prohibited. An independent review was conducted following a comprehensive search of the National Library of Medicine using MEDLINE and PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Cochrane Library databases. Data were presented in tabular format, and crude data pooled to calculate mean recurrence rates for each therapy. 29 studies met the inclusion criteria: radiotherapy 10; topical imiquimod 10; laser therapies 9. Radiotherapy demostrated recurrence rates of up to 31% (mean 11.5%), with follow-up durations of 1-96 months. Topical imiquimod recurrence rates were up to 50% (mean 24.5%), with follow-up durations of 2-49 months. Laser therapy yielded recurrence rates of up to 100% (mean 34.4%), and follow-up durations of 8-78 months. in each of the treatment series the I(2) value measuring statistical heterogeneity exceeded the accepted threshold of 50% and as such a meta-analysis of included data were inappropriate. For non-surgical patients with LM, radiotherapy and topical imiquimod were efficacious treatments. Radiotherapy produced superior complete response rates and fewer recurrences than imiquimod although both are promising non-invasive modalities. There was no consistent body of evidence regarding laser therapy although response rates of up to 100% were reported in low quality studies. A prospective comparative trial is indicated and would provide accurate data on the long-term efficacy and overall utility of these treatments.

Radiotherapy for lentigo maligna: a literature review and recommendations for treatment

Lentigo maligna (LM) incidence is increasing. LM frequently involves the face near critical anatomical structures and as a consequence clinical management is challenging. Nonsurgical therapies, including radiotherapy (RT), are increasingly used. Evidenced-based treatment guidelines are lacking. We conducted a review of previously published data analysing RT treatment of LM. A search of PubMed, Embase and Medline databases to June 2012 identified nine clinical studies that examined the use of RT for LM treatment in at least five patients. Nine studies described 537 patients with LM treated with definitive primary RT, between 1941 and 2009, with a median reported follow-up time of 3 years. Eight articles could be reviewed for oncological outcome data. There were 18 recurrences documented in a total of 349 assessable patients (5%). Salvage was successful in the majority of recurrent LM cases by using further RT, surgery or other therapies. Progression to LM melanoma (LMM) occurred in five patients (five out of 349, 1.4%) who all had poor outcomes. There were five marginal recurrences documented out of 123 assessable patients (4%). There were eight in-field recurrences documented with either LM (five) or LMM (three) out of 171 assessable patients (5%). A series of recommendations were then developed for RT parameters for treatment of LM. These parameters include treatment volume, dose, dose per fraction and outcome measures. These may be of use in prospective data collection.

Radiation therapy for cutaneous melanoma

Radiation therapy is used infrequently for cutaneous melanoma, despite research suggesting benefit in certain clinical scenarios. This review presents data forming the highest level of evidence supporting the use of radiation therapy. Retrospective and prospective studies demonstrate radiation therapy for primary tumors is associated with high control rates. Two randomized trials have found improvements in regional control with adjuvant radiotherapy to regional lymphatics. Retrospective and prospective studies demonstrate radiation therapy is associated with palliative response and metastatic tumor control. Optimal care of melanoma patients involves radiation therapy; awareness of this is incumbent of clinicians caring for patients with this disease.

The important role of radiotherapy in patients with non-melanoma skin cancer and other cutaneous entities

Non-melanoma skin cancer is the commonest malignancy worldwide and a significant public health issue. Although most non-melanoma skin cancers are small and easily excised or ablated, a recommendation of definitive radiotherapy is often made in patients where the outcome (cosmetic and/or functional) will probably be better with radiotherapy compared to surgery. The aim of adjuvant radiotherapy is to reduce the risk of loco-regional recurrence and the role of palliative radiotherapy is important in improving the quality of life in patients with advanced and/or incurable disease. The aim of this review article is to broadly discuss the various clinical settings in which a recommendation of radiotherapy may be made and also includes a discussion on less frequently encountered cutaneous entities (e.g. in situ squamous cell carcinoma, keratocanthoma, lentigo maligna, cutaneous lymphomas and malignant fibrous tumours).

Imiquimod in the treatment of lentigo maligna

BACKGROUND

Lentigo maligna (LM) is treated to prevent progression to lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). Surgery remains the treatment of choice, although topical immunotherapy with imiquimod has recently become a popular alternative.

OBJECTIVES

In this review, we have analysed the published literature relating to the use of imiquimod for LM, in order to understand better the utility of this treatment.

METHODS

All English language studies relating to the use of imiquimod for LM were analysed up to January 2006.

RESULTS

Eleven case reports and four open-label studies were identified, comprising a total of 67 patients who completed treatment with imiquimod for LM. There was significant variability in treatment schedules and regimens. Eight patients failed to respond, with LMM developing in two of these. In certain cases there were discrepancies between clinical and histological response with some patients clearing clinically but not histologically, and vice versa. Follow-up periods were short, exceeding 12 months in only five cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Although imiquimod clearly has an effect on LM, this analysis of available studies has helped to identify concerns about its use. Without controlled evidence and prolonged follow up, the use of imiquimod for LM must still be considered experimental.

Radiation Therapy in the Management of Cutaneous Melanoma

The role of RT in the management of melanoma is complex and spans the entire course of the disease. To provide optimal management of patients who have melanoma, radiation oncologists are an integral part of a multidisciplinary team. Appropriate integration of radiation into the management plan can improve locoregional control and alleviate symptoms from meta-static disease. The specific role of RT in locoregional disease is being refined. It is likely that current developments in radiation treatment technology will be applicable to melanoma. These should improve the therapeutic ratio by enhancing the tumoricidal effects of RT without increasing toxicity.

Radiation therapy of malignant melanoma

This article discusses that previously considered radioresistant, malignant melanomas clearly have been shown to respond either to conventional or high-dose-per-fraction radiation therapy. Approximately one fourth of palliatively irradiated malignant melanomas respond completely and another one third respond substantially. Some physicians have controlled small-volume macroscopic tumors by radiation therapy, but such treatment has not gained wide acceptance. Elective irradiation of anatomic sites considered likely to harbor microscopic-size tumor unquestionably decreases the risk of local-regional recurrence. The inability of available systemic therapies, however, to prevent the appearance of distant metastases limits the current impact of such treatment.

The evolution of the role of radiation therapy in the management of mucocutaneous malignant melanoma

The role of radiation therapy in the treatment of malignant melanoma has evolved substantially over time. Years ago, malignant melanomas were generally considered radioresistant. Over time, the palliative value of radiation therapy was established. Most recently it also has become clear that judiciously applied therapy may be curative in either an adjuvant setting or for small-volume disease.