Intracranial metastases of malignant melanoma treated by surgery

Metastases in 25 patients with intracranial metastases from malignant melanoma were extirpated. Two patients had a second operation after six and ten months because of tumor recurrence. Single brain metastases were found in 20 and multiple in five patients. The interval between the primary tumor and the intracranial metastases varied from 17 years to six months. Three patients died due to complications from surgery. The median survival time was five months (mean survival ten months). Complete relief of symptoms was observed in 17 and partial relief in two patients. The quality of life was improved in 17 patients and 14 of these 17 went back to their ordinary occupation. The indications for neurosurgery are restricted in patients with extracranial or with multiple intracranial metastases.