Authors' objectives: This report has been prepared in response to a request for advice in respect of treatment of an individual with a history of malignant melanoma.

Authors' recommendations: There is evidence that stereotactic radiosurgery (both gamma knife and linac) is helpful in the management of brain metastases, often in association with other forms of treatment. Benefits include local control in a high proportion of cases, and improvement of clinical symptoms. Effects on survival seem less clear, with limited comparative data in cases where surgery is a treatment option. Patient selection criteria require further development, and the role of radiosurgery in any individual case will be a matter for careful judgment by the specialists providing treatment. From the information available for preparation of this note, the evidence of benefit from treatment of cerebral metastatic melanoma with radiosurgery is less clear, though there are again indications of achievement of good local control and improved clinical symptoms in a condition with very poor prognosis. The technology is now being used at a number of centres in the management of metastatic melanoma cases, though its role and outcomes require further validation.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 1997

URL for published report: https://www.ihe.ca/advanced-search?type=1020

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Institute of Health Economics

Contact Address: 1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;

Contact Name: djuzwishin@ihe.ca

Contact Email: djuzwishin@ihe.ca

Copyright: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research