Prolonged survival after resection of liver metastases from uveal melanoma and intra-arterial chemotherapy

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2005 Jun;243(6):622-4. doi: 10.1007/s00417-004-1057-x. Epub 2005 Jan 14.

Abstract

Background: To report the protracted 9-year survival of a patient after surgical management of multiple liver metastases from uveal melanoma.

Design: Interventional case report.

Methods: A 30-year-old patient, treated for choroidal melanoma by proton beam therapy, was semiannually followed by abdominal ultrasonography. Two years after initial treatment, a total body computed tomography scan suggested the diagnosis of isolated liver metastases.

Results: Multiple wedge resections and postoperative intra-arterial chemotherapy with fotemustine were performed. After 4 years, a metastatic nodule in the head of the pancreas was detected and surgically removed. Eighteen months later, metastases were progressively detected in other organs. The patient finally died of carcinomatous meningitis 9 years of first treatment of metastases.

Conclusions: In the present case, the surgical control of liver metastases associated with intra-arterial chemotherapy prolonged the quality and length of life with progressive disease extension to other organs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Dacarbazine / administration & dosage
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatectomy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Melanoma / mortality*
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Melanoma / therapy
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Nitrosourea Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors
  • Uveal Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Uveal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uveal Neoplasms / radiotherapy

Substances

  • Nitrosourea Compounds
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Dacarbazine
  • fotemustine