CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM METASTASES OF CUTANEOUS MALIGNANT-MELANOMA - APOPULATION-BASED STUDY

The objectives of this population-based study were to assess putative prognostic factors for central nervous system (CNS) metastases among p atients with cutaneous malignant melanoma, to assess the cumulative ri sk of CNS metastases in different subsets of patients with recurrent d isease, and to describe patient outcome. At a median follow-up of 11 y ears, 201/2516 patients with melanoma had developed CNS metastases, co rresponding to a cumulative risk at 5 years of 7%. In 41 of these 201 patients the CNS metastases were recorded as the first site of recurre nce. In a Cox's multivariate model, primary tumor thickness and ulcera tion in stage I patients were independent risk factors. The cumulative rates of incidence of CNS metastases 5 years after local or regional recurrence as first event were 5 and 42%, respectively. These results may help to form an individually based risk assessment, which might be of value for melanoma patients in certain occupations.