CHEMOEMBOLIZATION OF A SOLITARY LIVER METASTASIS FROM MALIGNANT-MELANOMA

Chemoembolization is a recent therapeutic approach, in which chemother apeutic and embolizing substances are administered selectively into tu mour-feeding arteries. Although it is a well-investigated therapeutic procedure in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, few reports ha ve been published regarding its use in the treatment of metastases fro m malignant melanoma. We present two cases of malignant melanoma, each with a solitary liver metastasis, where arterial chemoembolization wi th cisplatin and Lipiodol(R) was performed. Both patients responded wi th regression of the tumour, and neither presented serious complicatio ns. Arterial chemoembolization might be an alternative for palliation of melanoma liver metastases. Emphasis is laid upon the therapeutic op tions in the management of secondary liver tumours from malignant mela noma.