Abstract

 

Although malignant melanoma is one of the most common causes of central nervous system metastases,

spinal metastases from it are relatively rare. Despite spinal metastases primarily are not fatal, they may be

catastrophic because of ambulation loss and sphincter disturbances. The purpose of this study was to review

the course of this illnes after the development of neurological deficits and to asses the efficiacy of radiation

therapy on symptoms and signs of spinal metastasis. 26 patients with neurological manifestations from

spinal metastasis of melanoma were analyzed retrospectively. Median age of the patients was 48 years

(range 24-87). Fifteen patients had cord compression by epidural metastasis, 6 patients had intramedullary,

and 5 patients had leptomenengial metastasis. 17 of these patients suffered from pain. In 12 patients, first

symptom was neurological disturbance, while in 14 patients it was pain. In patients who received

radiotherapy for pain, in 5 patients pain improved, in 13 patients remained unchanged, in 2 patients

worsened. In patients who received radiotherapy for neurological deficits, in 9 patients deficit improved, in

patients worsened, in 10 patients did not change. While radiotherapy had significant effect on neurological

recovery (p