Response of metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma and Merkel cell tumor to high-dose melphalan with autologous bone marrow transplantation.

Two patients with metastatic spread of unusual tumors responded to treatment with high-dose Melphalan and autologous bone marrow transplant. One patient had adenoid cystic carcinoma of a minor salivary gland and the other had Merkel cell tumor of the scalp. Both patients had undergone prior surgery and radiotherapy, but later relapsed with distant metastases. Both patients had progression of their disease despite conventional and salvage chemotherapy. Treatment with high-dose Melphalan and autologous bone marrow transplant resulted in partial responses for both patients. High-dose Melphalan should be considered for therapy earlier in the course of patients with these unusual cancers.