Fluorescence image-guided surgery and repetitive Photodynamic Therapy in brain metastatic malignant melanoma.
Metastatic brain melanoma occurs in about 3.5% of patients suffering from malignant melanoma. It has disabling effects on cognition, memory, language and mobility. We studied the use of fluorescence image-guided resection and repetitive Photodynamic Therapy in six consecutive metastatic brain melanomas. Three were males and the mean age of the group was 52.8 years.


RESULTS
All six patients (100%) remained free of brain disease till death, 50% died of malignant melanoma elsewhere, and 50% died of unrelated causes.


CONCLUSIONS
Adjuvant fluorescence image-guided resection and repetitive Photodynamic Therapy offers an excellent local control of metastatic brain melanoma.
Department of Neurosurgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK. sam.eljamel@btinternet.com
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G
Zilidis
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Aziz
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Telara
M Sam
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Eljamel
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether