When there are no metastases, treatment includes complete surgical removal with postoperative radiotherapy and / or chemotherapy.
“In many cases, however, it is not possible to completely remove the tumor by maintaining the function of the limb and then amputation may be the only solution to relieve the patient.
“Melanoma of the skin constitutes 5% of malignant tumors and is located in 30% of the limbs”, explains Mr. Odysseas Zoras, Professor of Surgical Oncology, Director of Clinical Surgical Oncology and Center for Regional Therapies, Metropolitan Hospital.
Most of the patients with cutaneous melanoma do not show metastases, but a percentage of them will develop them, with several of them being so extensive that they cannot be treated with simple surgical removal and local methods of destruction.
In the case of patients with non-surgical soft tissue sarcoma or advanced limb melanoma who are candidates for amputation, a palliative method, TM-HILP, may be used.
It is a complex surgery in which the rate of complete response (disappearance of the tumor) ranges from 70% -90% for cutaneous melanoma and about 20% for soft tissue sarcoma in specialized centers, while the rates of partial response (reduction of (less than 50%) are high enough for sarcomas.
“As for amputation, it has not been shown to prolong the overall survival of patients, however limb function is maintained to a significant degree after surgery and most patients are able to return to their daily routine within 1-3 months. “, Concludes Mr. Zoras.
More information here
Writes:
K. Odysseas Zoras, Professor of Surgical Oncology,
Director of Clinical Surgical Oncology and Center for Regional Therapies, Metropolitan Hospital.
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