Stereotactic radiosurgery for malignant melanoma to the brain

This article offers support for using radiosurgery in the treatment of patients with melanoma brain metastases. Although patients with multiple metastases may fare somewhat worse than patients with single metastases, the difference is not statistically significant. The only significant prognostic factor that we were able to identify was smaller total target volume (favorable factor), although further study with longer follow-up and more patients may reveal other factors. Radiosurgery is appealing to patients and physicians because it is noninvasive and requires minimal hospitalization and recovery. Gamma Knife therapy offers patients a rapid method for achieving local control, which may be particularly important for patients who would otherwise be considered for specific protocols (such as some using IL-2) which preclude enrollment unless intracranial disease is controlled. We conclude that stereotactic radiosurgery is an effective treatment modality, with acceptable toxicity, for patients with either solitary or multiple melanoma metastases to the brain.