Radiation therapy of malignant melanomas: An evaluation of clinically used fractionation schemes

Abstract

To assess the importance of radiation dose fraction size in the treatment of malignant melanomas, the records of 48 patients (83 sites) treated at Tufts‐New England Medical Center from 1971 to 1979 have been retrospectively reviewed. During this period, the dose fractionation schemes evolved from standard fraction size to large‐dose techniques. Radiation fraction size was observed to be the major factor in the clinical response of melanoma. Fractions of 600–800 rad resulted in the best overall response (80%). The rapid fractionation scheme of 800–400–400 rad on successive days resulted in intermediate response (58%) and may be useful for the palliative treatment of selected patients.