A prospective phase II study of adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy following nodal surgery in malignant melanoma - Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) Study 96.06

Burmeister, Bryan H., Smithers, B. Mark, Burmeister, Elizabeth, Baumann, Kathryn, Davis, Sidney, Krawitz, Hedley, Johnson, Carol and Spry, Nigel (2006) A prospective phase II study of adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy following nodal surgery in malignant melanoma - Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) Study 96.06. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 81 2: 136-142.


Author Burmeister, Bryan H.
Smithers, B. Mark
Burmeister, Elizabeth
Baumann, Kathryn
Davis, Sidney
Krawitz, Hedley
Johnson, Carol
Spry, Nigel
Title A prospective phase II study of adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy following nodal surgery in malignant melanoma - Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) Study 96.06
Journal name Radiotherapy and Oncology  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2006
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.radonc.2006.10.001
Volume number 81
Issue number 2
ISSN 0167-8184
Start page 136
End page 142
Total pages 7
Editor J. Overgaard
Place of publication Ireland
Publisher Elsevier Ireland Ltd
Collection year 2006
Language eng
Subject C1
321015 Oncology and Carcinogenesis
730108 Cancer and related disorders
Formatted abstract Background

The role of adjuvant postoperative therapy after resection of localised malignant melanoma involving regional lymph nodes remains controversial. There are no randomised trials that confirm that postoperative radiation conveys a benefit in terms of regional control or survival.

Methods

Two hundred and thirty-four patients with melanoma involving lymph nodes were registered on a prospective study to evaluate the effect of postoperative radiation therapy. The regimen consisted of 48 Gy in 20 fractions to the nodal basin using recommended treatment guidelines for each of the major node sites. The primary endpoints were regional in-field relapse and late toxicity. Secondary endpoints were adjacent relapse, distant relapse, overall survival, progression-free survival and time to in-field progression.

Results

Adjuvant radiation therapy was well tolerated by all of the patients. As the first site of relapse, regional in-field relapses occurred in 16/234 patients (6.8%). The overall survival was 36% at 5 years. The progression-free survival and regional control rates were 27% and 91%, respectively, at 5 years. Patients with more than 2 nodes involved had a significantly worse outcome in terms of distant relapse, overall and progression-free survival.

Conclusion

We believe that adjuvant radiation therapy following nodal surgery could offer a possible benefit in terms of regional control. These results require confirmation in a randomised trial.
Keyword Melanoma
Radiation therapy
Nodal disease
Regional relapse
Q-Index Code C1

 
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Created: Wed, 15 Aug 2007, 10:00:34 EST