THE ROLE OF ABDOMINAL RESECTIONAL SURGERY IN METASTATIC MELANOMA

Abstract

We reviewed our experience to determine the role of resectional surgery in metastatic melanoma to the abdomen. An observational study of 25 patients at the Austin Hospital, Melbourne from 1997 to 2005. The median survival after abdominal resectional surgery was 8.3 (range 0.4-41.1) months. Fourteen patients who underwent resection with curative intent (extra-abdominal disease controlled and complete macroscopic clearance of abdominal disease) had improved survival compared with 11 patients who underwent palliative resection (12 month survival, 89 vs 10%, respectively, P < 0.0001). Survival was also superior in patients with up to two metastases compared with more than two (P = 0.0001) and in patients with serum albumin of at least 35 g/L (P = 0.0031). Intent of surgery (curative vs palliative) was the only factor significant on multivariate analysis (P = 0.001). Of patients with preoperative symptoms, 87% had resolution of these symptoms. Operative morbidity was 12%, and 30-day mortality was 4%. In a highly selected group of patients with intra-abdominal melanoma metastases, resection of intra-abdominal metastases with curative intent resulted in prolonged survival compared with patients who underwent palliative resection. Those who underwent palliative resection had good relief of symptoms with minimal morbidity.