Conventional radiotherapy in the treatment of lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma.

Forty cases of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) treated by conventional fractionated radiotherapy are reviewed. Fourteen of seventeen LM patients are alive and well 4 months to 5 years following irradiation, one patient died of intercurrent disease without recurrence, and two had residual or recurrent tumor (both salvaged by excision or further irradiation). Twenty-one of twenty-three LMM patients had their tumor controlled from 1 month to 7 years following irradiation. Two recurred locally or had residual tumor, and both were salvaged by excision. There have been no regional or distant recurrences of melanoma in the entire series. Cosmetic results of treatment are excellent. The lesions can take up to 24 months to disappear following irradiation. It is concluded that conventional fractionated radiotherapy is simple, effective outpatient treatment worthy of further study for LM and LMM.