Number of metastases, serum lactate dehydrogenase level, and type of treatment are prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases of malignant melanoma

Abstract

Background: This multicenter study aimed to identify prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases from malignant melanoma (BM-MM). Methods: In a retrospective survey in 9 cancer centers of the German Cancer Society, 692 patients were identified with BM-MM during the period 1986 through 2007. Overall survival was analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier estimator and compared with log-rank analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify prognostic factors significant for survival. Results: The median overall survival of the entire cohort was 5.0 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 4 months-5 months). Significant prognostic factors in the univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis were Karnofsky performance status (≥70% vs <70%; P