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PURPOSE: Local-regional recurrence rates of 30%-50% have been reported after resection of high-risk malignant melanomas (multiple node involvement, extracapsular spread, deep invasion, recurrent disease, and/or microscopically involved margins). Recently, we have been offering elective radiation therapy, after definitive surgery, to selected patients who have high-risk malignant melanomas. We herein report our initial results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1993 to 1999, 40 patients who underwent surgery for high-risk malignant melanomas (multiple involved lymph nodes [21 patients]; close or microscopically involved surgical margins [nine patients]; extracapsular extension [six patients]; previously resected, recurrent disease [three patients]; and/or primary tumors more than 4 mm thick [four patients]) received elective radiation therapy. Thirty-six patients received 3000 cGy in five fractions (600 cGy per fraction given twice weekly), and four patients received 3600 cGy in six fractions. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 18.4 months (range, 3.8-74.1 months), the actuarial 5-year local-regional control rate was 84%. Systemic recurrence rates in these patients were similar to those reported for this subset of patients, and the actuarial overall survival rate at 5 years was 39%. Acute toxicity was limited to erythema of the skin and, in one instance, probable cellulitis, with no late sequelae. DISCUSSION: Elective radiation therapy (600 cGy per fraction for five or six fractions) effectively controlled residual subclinical disease after surgery; however, better adjuvant systemic therapies need to be designed to eliminate distant metastases and to alter survival rates