The radioresponsiveness of melanoma.

The variability of malignant melanoma in its response to irradiation is well documented. Recent radiobiological studies suggest that high individual dose and low total fraction regimens will enhance the responsiveness of this tumor to irradiation. The experience of the Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital and the Cancer Research Center, Columbia, Missouri was reviewed with particular attention to such radiotherapeutic regimens. Of 41 lesions in 27 patients, the overall response rate to irradiation was 37%. When regimens using more than 400 cGy per fraction were analyzed, a 67% response rate was noted. Complete response and small volume of tumor correlated significantly (p = 0.008) with long-term survival.