1/4. Efficient palliation of haemorrhaging malignant melanoma skin metastases by electrochemotherapy.Electric pulses can cause transient permeabilization of cell membranes (electroporation) and this can be utilized to increase the uptake of chemotherapy (electrochemotherapy). Preclinical studies have shown that in vivo electroporation causes transient shut down of blood flow both in normal and, in particular, malignant tissues. We report the successful palliation of a malignant melanoma patient with bleeding skin metastases using electrochemotherapy. In an on-going study of combined electrochemotherapy and low dose interleukin-2, one patient with bleeding skin metastases was included. Nine skin metastases, of which seven were ulcerated, were treated. After intratumoral bleomycin injection, needle electrodes with two arrays 4 mm apart were inserted into the tumours. Eight square wave electric pulses each 99 micros in duration and with an applied voltage to electrode distance ratio of 1.2 kV/cm were administered. In all the treated lesions, bleeding immediately stopped on administration of the electric pulses and did not recur. The treated metastases developed crusts and the lesions healed in a matter of weeks. Treatments were given under local anaesthesia, lasted a few minutes, and patient discomfort was brief and modest. In conclusion, we propose that electrochemotherapy should be considered for the palliation of haemorrhaging metastases as it is an efficient, tolerable, brief, outpatient, once-only treatment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/4. microsurgery of choroidal melanoma--surgical techniques of local excision.Six cases of malignant choroidal melanoma were treated by microsurgical excision under hypotensive anaesthesia with follow-up periods varying from four months to four years. This paper presents the case for local excision of malignant choroidal melanoma in the light of the current controversy surrounding the management and natural history of choroidal melanoma. The indications for surgery, techniques, and results are described. Vision was preserved best in tumours with diameters of less than 10 mm. No deaths and no evidence of extraocular recurrence occurred.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/4. Gamma-probe-guided lymph node localization in malignant melanoma.The initial draining lymph node (sentinel node) has been successfully localized using intraoperative vital dye mapping and reportedly is predictive of regional nodal metastases in Clinical- Stage 1 melanoma. In an animal model, we previously established the technique of gamma-probe-guided localization of the technetium-99 sulfur colloid labelled sentinel node and found its sensitivity equal to vital dye mapping. We now report our initial experience using gamma-probe-guided localization to identify and then surgically remove the first draining lymph node(s) in 10 malignant melanoma patients. lymphoscintigraphy was used to confirm localization. We conclude that this technique: (a) reliably localizes the sentinel node draining the site of a primary melanoma, (b) allows the lymphatic bed to be checked intraoperatively verifying complete sentinel node biopsy, and (c) is relatively simple and can be performed under local anaesthesia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/4. Endoresection of choroidal melanoma.AIMS: The results of 52 endoresections for choroidal melanoma are reported. methods: The current technique involves vitrectomy, retinal incision over or peripheral to the tumour, haemostasis by raising intraocular pressure and by moderate hypotensive anaesthesia, choroidal incision around tumour, endoresection with vitrector, endodiathermy to bleeding points and residual tumour, fluid-air exchange to reattach retina, endolaser to achieve retinal adhesion around the coloboma and destroy residual tumour in the sclera, silicone oil injection with removal after 12 weeks, cryotherapy to the sclerotomies, and adjunctive ruthenium plaque radiotherapy in selected cases. RESULTS: patients receiving primary endoresection had a mean age of 53 years, a mean largest basal tumour diameter of 8.2 mm, and a mean tumour thickness of 3.9 mm. 40 tumours extended to within 2 disc diameters of the optic disc, with 17 involving disc. Follow up ranged from 40 days to 7 years (median 20 months). At the last visit, 90% of eyes were retained, with vision of 6/6-6/12 (two), 6/18-6/36 (three), 6/60 to counting fingers (18), hand movements (nine), and light perception (four). The main complications were retinal detachment in 16 and cataract in 25. Secondary endoresection (11) was performed after plaque radiotherapy (four), photocoagulation (four), trans-scleral local resection (two), and proton beam radiotherapy (one), with retention of the eye in nine cases. By the close of the study, no patients developed definite local tumour recurrence but one died of metastatic disease 41 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Depending on tumour location, endoresection may conserve central vision or temporal field when radiotherapy would be expected to cause optic neuropathy. Longer follow up is necessary to establish the efficacy of tumour control.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = anaesthesia (Clic here for more details about this article) |