Hepatic Arterial Infusion With Melphalan Compared With Standard Therapy in Treating Patients With Unresectable Liver Metastases Due to Melanoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed liver metastases secondary to cutaneous or ocular melanoma

Unresectable disease
Predominantly in the parenchyma of the liver
Measurable disease by CT scan and/or MRI

Limited unresectable extrahepatic disease allowed provided the life-limiting component of progressive disease is in the liver, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

Up to 4 pulmonary nodules, each < 1 cm in diameter
Retroperitoneal lymph nodes < 3 cm in diameter
Less than 10 skin or subcutaneous metastases < 1 cm in diameter
Asymptomatic bone metastases that are eligible for or have undergone palliative external-beam radiotherapy
Solitary metastasis to any site that can be resected

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Life expectancy ≥ 3 months
ECOG performance status 0-2
Bilirubin < 3.0 mg/dL
PT within 2 seconds of upper limit of normal (ULN)
AST/ALT ≤ 10 times ULN
Platelet count > 75,000/mm^3
Hematocrit > 27% (may be achieved with a transfusion)
Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,300/mm^3
Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance > 60 mL/min
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
No history of congestive heart failure
LVEF ≥ 40%
No significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other chronic pulmonary restrictive disease
FEV_1 ≥ 30%
DLCO ≥ 40% of predicted
Weight ≥ 35 kg
No untreated active bacterial infection with systemic manifestations (e.g., malaise, fever, and leucocytosis)
No severe allergic reactions to iodine contrast unless reaction can be controlled by antihistamines and/or steroids
No known hypersensitivity to melphalan
No positive serology for HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen, or hepatitis C antibody (pharmacokinetics portion of the study only)
No known latex allergy
No Childs B or C cirrhosis
No evidence of portal hypertension by history, endoscopy, or radiological study
No prior history of gastrinoma

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 1 month since prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or biologic therapy for this cancer and recovered
No prior regionally delivered melphalan
No prior Whipple procedure
No concurrent immunosuppressive therapy
No concurrent chronic anticoagulation therapy