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Six intracarotid artery infusions of DTIC were performed in 4 patients with invasive malignant melanoma of the maxillo-facial region. A total dose of 3.5 to 7 g was well tolerated. Only 1 patient who received 9.5 g in 25 days developed a reversible bone marrow depletion. Two out of the 4 patients presented a transient 50 % tumor surface regression, but no response was seen after the second infusion. Of the 2 remaining patients, 1 had no measurable effect and 1 experienced tumor progression.

Ten hyperthermic isolation-perfusions with melphalan were performed for invasive malignant melanoma of the limbs. Four cases at stage II and with in transit metastases (up to 15 cm in diameter) had a complete regression. However, no improvement of survival was noticed: 4 out of 5 stage II patients who died, within 1 year after perfusion, developed a generalized disease. Systemic chemotherapy was administered in 3 patients after perfusion, but they died from distant metastases. The need for an adequate adjuvant treatment added to isolation perfusion is discussed.