Treatment of in-transit Merkel cell carcinoma by isolated limb infusion with cytotoxic drugs

Jake J Hindmarch; David J Coker; Richard Waugh; Peter C A Kam; John F Thompson; Robyn P M Saw

doi:10.1093/jscr/rjac172

Treatment of in-transit Merkel cell carcinoma by isolated limb infusion with cytotoxic drugs

J Surg Case Rep. 2022 Apr 12;2022(4):rjac172. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjac172. eCollection 2022 Apr.

Authors

Jake J Hindmarch¹, David J Coker¹, Richard Waugh², Peter C A Kam³, John F Thompson¹, Robyn P M Saw¹

Affiliations

¹ Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² Department of Radiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin is a rare but aggressive malignancy, which predominantly affects older adults with fair skin. Isolated limb infusion (ILI) using melphalan and actinomycin D was first developed as a minimally invasive treatment option to treat unresectable metastatic melanoma confined to the limb. We report on a 62-year-old male with in-transit metastases (ITMs) treated with ILI to highlight the ongoing role this treatment has when all other therapies have been exhausted. At presentation, the patient had widespread ITMs in the right leg. Positron emission tomography scan demonstrated recurrent disease in the thigh and pelvis, and it was decided to treat the patient with ILI. The patient progressed well in the immediate post-operative period. The patient was able to mobilize from Day 6 post-ILI and was discharged on Day 10. There was an immediate clinical response seen in the lesions, with necrosis developing in the larger lesions.

Publication types

Case Reports