Successful thermoradiotherapy in recurrent mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus: Report of three cases

Abstract

We report successful thermoradiotherapy in 3 cases of recurrent mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. For treatment, a Thermotron RF-8 (Yamamoto Vinita, Osaka, Japan) was used for 45 to 50 minutes of hyperthermia twice a week. The first patient, who had metastases of the lymph nodes of the neck, received radiotherapy at 48 Gy given in 4-Gy fractions, and hyperthermia (41.5°C to 43°C in the tumor), and has been free from disease for 6.5 years. The second patient, who had a tumor on the left cheek and metastases of the lymph nodes of the left side of the neck, received 40 Gy to the neck and 35 Gy to the cheek in 5-Gy fractions, and hyperthermia (41.5°C to 43°C on the skin surface), and has become free of tumors. He received thermoradiotherapy again, for adrenal metastases, 1.5 years later; 40 Gy was given in 2-Gy fractions, 5 times a week. He has been in partial remission. The third patient, who had pain in the right hip caused by bone metastasis, received radiotherapy of 40 Gy given in 5-Gy fractions, and hyperthermia (41°C to 42.5°C in the bladder). Complete pain relief continued for 6 months until death. Thermoradiotherapy played an effective role in the treatment of these 3 cases.