title: Prognostic factors in malignant melanoma patients with solitary or multiple brain metastases. Is there a role for surgery?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic parameters and treatment modalities of malignant melanoma patients with brain metastases.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  a retrospective study with a mean follow-up of 46 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  specialized Cancer Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  the charts of 136 patients, treated in Roswell Park Cancer Institute, for melanoma brain metastases, were analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  all patients were treated surgically and in the majority adjuvant therapy was applied.
  
  
  METHODS
  survival and time of recurrence of patients and possible prognostic factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PATIENTS who were treated surgically had a better one-year survival rate (28.3%), than patients who received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy (6.67%) or patients who refused any kind of treatment (3.45%), (p=0.006). Prolonged survival after surgical treatment was found in patients with single metastatic lesions and in patients with multiple metastatic lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Melanoma patients with single metastatic lesions to the brain seem to do better after surgical treatment. The role of surgical intervention in patients with multiple brain metastases needs re-evaluation from a big multicenter, prospective trial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, USA. amessari@compulink.gr
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Konstadoulakis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Messaris
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zografos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Androulakis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karakousis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents