title: Leptomeningeal metastasis in melanoma: a prospective clinical study of nine patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melanoma has the highest rate of spread to the leptomeninges and the incidence of melanoma has been steadily rising. This article describes recent experience at the Lille University Hospital, between 2007 and 2011 and discusses the possibilities for treatment of leptomeningeal metastasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients were diagnosed with leptomeningeal metastasis of melanoma. The standard criteria were used for the diagnosis. The treatment consisted of a combination of intrathecal chemotherapy, systemic chemotherapy and best supportive care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall median survival from the time of leptomeningeal metastasis diagnosis was eight weeks (range=1-168 weeks). In two cases, the median overall survival was 104 weeks. For these patients, there was a clear benefit in intrathecal chemotherapy combined with systemic treatment. No complication was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite a poor prognosis, treatment of melanoma leptomeningeal metastasis is needed in order to improve the quality of life, neurological progression-free survival and overall survival of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Huriez Hospital, Regional and University Hospital, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Emeline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pape
authors.forename: Eve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Desmedt
authors.forename: Fahed
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zairi
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Baranzelli
authors.forename: Veronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dziwniel
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bonneterre
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mortier
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Le Rhun
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D013852:Thiotepa / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008081:Liposomes; D003561:Cytarabine; D013852:Thiotepa