A simple implement for assessing the survival of elderly patients with melanoma irradiated for cerebral metastases

Background/Aim: Secondary brain lesions occur commonly in patients with advanced melanoma. Despite increasing use of local therapies, many elderly patients qualify for whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). For these patients, a survival score was created. Patients and Methods: Seven characteristics were retrospectively investigated in 35 elderly (≥65 years) patients with melanoma, namely WBRT regimen, age, gender, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), number of brain lesions, non-cerebral metastases and interval from melanoma diagnosis to WBRT. Results: Age ≤71 years (p=0.044) and KPS ≥80% (p=0.005) were significantly associated with more favorable survival. Based on these characteristics, patients received 0 (n=13), 1 (n=12) or 2 points (n=10). Two prognostic groups were designed, 0 or 1 point vs. 2 points, with actuarial 6-month survival rates of 12% and 48%, respectively (p=0.002). Conclusion: This simple implement allows quick estimation of the survival of elderly patients receiving WBRT for cerebral metastases from melanoma.