Faculty Collaboration Database

Limb preservation with isolated limb infusion for locally advanced nonmelanoma cutaneous and soft-tissue malignant neoplasms. Arch Surg 2011 Jul;146(7):870-5

Date

07/20/2011

Pubmed ID

21768436

Pubmed Central ID

PMC4515974

DOI

10.1001/archsurg.2011.139

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-79960389425 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   37 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy of isolated limb infusion (ILI) in limb preservation for patients with locally advanced soft-tissue sarcomas and nonmelanoma cutaneous malignant neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced nonmelanoma cutaneous and soft-tissue malignant neoplasms, including soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities, can pose significant treatment challenges. We report our experience, including responses and limb preservation rates, using ILI in cutaneous and soft-tissue malignant neoplasms.

METHODS: We identified 22 patients with cutaneous and soft-tissue malignant neoplasms who underwent 26 ILIs with melphalan and dactinomycin from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2009, from 5 institutions. Outcome measures included limb preservation and in-field response rates. Regional toxic effects were measured using the Wieberdink scale and serum creatinine phosphokinase levels.

RESULTS: The median age was 70 years (range, 19-92 years), and 12 patients (55%) were women. Fourteen patients (64%) had sarcomas, 7 (32%) had Merkel cell carcinoma, and 1 (5%) had squamous cell carcinoma. The median length of stay was 5.5 days (interquartile range, 4-8 days). Twenty-five of the 26 ILIs (96%) resulted in Wieberdink grade III or less toxicity, and 1 patient (4%) developed grade IV toxicity. The median serum creatinine phosphokinase level was 127 U/L for upper extremity ILIs and 93 U/L for lower extremity ILIs. Nineteen of 22 patients (86%) underwent successful limb preservation. The 3-month in-field response rate was 79% (21% complete and 58% partial), and the median follow-up was 8.6 months (range, 1-63 months). Five patients underwent resection of disease after an ILI, of whom 80% are disease free at a median of 8.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS: Isolated limb infusion provides an attractive alternative therapy for regional disease control and limb preservation in patients with limb-threatening cutaneous and soft-tissue malignant neoplasms. Short-term response rates appear encouraging, yet durability of response is unknown.

Author List

Turaga KK, Beasley GM, Kane JM 3rd, Delman KA, Grobmyer SR, Gonzalez RJ, Letson GD, Cheong D, Tyler DS, Zager JS

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
Biomarkers, Tumor
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion
Creatine Kinase
Dactinomycin
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Length of Stay
Limb Salvage
Male
Melphalan
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Sarcoma
Skin Neoplasms
Soft Tissue Neoplasms
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult