Cerebral metastases of malignant melanoma: contemporary treatment modalities and survival outcome
Abstract:
The aim of our study was to analyze prognostic factors, effect of treatment and survival outcome of a contemporary cohort of melanoma patients with cerebral metastases and eventually propose new recommendations regarding therapy. Sixty four patients with melanoma brain metastases were treated in our department within a 15-year period. We performed a retrospective analysis of their survival with respect to the type of treatment instituted. Four groups were formed according to treatment: Group A patients treated with surgery followed by radiotherapy; group B temozolomide as first-line treatment and radiotherapy after cerebral disease progression; group C radiotherapy alone; group D supportive care only. Patients’ characteristics influenced the selection of treatment modality: Group A (7.8 %) patients with a single brain metastasis (p=0.001) and controlled extra-cranial disease (p