Chemotherapy to the affected limb leads to improved quality of life

This study examined whether isolated limb infusion affected health-related quality of life for in-transit extremity melanoma (melanoma found on the arms or legs).

Health-related quality of life (measures of how a disease and treatment are affecting a patient psychologically, financially, functionally) has been examined in metastatic melanoma (melanoma that has spread to other areas of the body) but has not been explored in in-transit extremity melanoma.

This stage of the disease, in which tumor cells are in the process of spreading from a site on the arms or legs to nearby lymph nodes, is treated with isolated limb infusion. During this treatment, high-dose chemotherapy is delivered directly to the affected limb. This therapy offers partial (some disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer) to complete response rates (complete disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer) of 31%–33%, but can lead to many side effects, including pain, swelling, and numbness.

Despite this therapy leading to adverse effects in nearly all patients, a measure of health-related quality of life has not been undertaken. 

The current study used a detailed questionnaire to document health-related quality of life following isolated limb infusion in patients with in-transit extremity melanoma.

This study utilized a questionnaire which asks questions covering all areas of quality of life, including physical, emotional, and functional well-being, as well as questions specific to melanoma and its treatment. 19 patients completed the questionnaire at least once, at the following time points: just prior to isolated limb infusion, 2 weeks after the infusion, 6 weeks after the infusion, and 3 months after the infusion.

The questions showed a trend of improving quality of life following treatment, including improvement in the two weeks directly following treatment. Melanoma-specific quality of life also showed improvement following treatment.

No decreases in quality of life were reported due to symptoms caused by the treatment, which were also reported to improve over time.

This study concluded that quality of life was not negatively impacted by isolated limb infusion or the effects following treatment for in-transit extremity melanoma patients.

This was a small study with a small number of patients. This should be repeated with a larger patient population.