Abstract
We report results of a conservative treatment for brain metastases from malignant melanoma with a combination of irradiation and chemotherapy (fotemustine and/or DTIC). To date, 12 patients have been treated. There was a complete remission of the brain metastases in four patients. In two patients a partial remission was observed. The mean survival of the responder was 8.2 months (95% confidence interval 3.8-12.6 months). The most common side effects were thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and alopecia. Altogether, the treatment was well tolerated. As the outcome of patients with brain metastases from malignant melanoma is generally poor, this combined chemo- and radiation therapy may provide improved care for such patients.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
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Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Brain Neoplasms / mortality
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Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
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Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
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Dacarbazine / administration & dosage
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Dacarbazine / therapeutic use
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Female
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Humans
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Lymphatic Metastasis
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Male
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Melanoma / drug therapy
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Melanoma / mortality
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Melanoma / radiotherapy
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Melanoma / secondary*
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Middle Aged
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Neoplasm Metastasis
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Nitrosourea Compounds / administration & dosage
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Nitrosourea Compounds / therapeutic use*
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Organophosphorus Compounds / administration & dosage
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Organophosphorus Compounds / therapeutic use*
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Retrospective Studies
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Survival Analysis
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Nitrosourea Compounds
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Organophosphorus Compounds
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Dacarbazine
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fotemustine