Multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of patients with metastases of melanoma without detectable primary tumor

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the method of combined modality treatment of patients with metastases of melanoma without detectable primary tumor. Metastases of melanoma of unknown primary origin were diagnosed in 21 (6 %) of 346 patients. Of them, 16 patients had metastases in lymph nodes, 4 in soft tissues and 1 in bones. To choose the treatment method, the general health status of the patient, location of metastases and the extent of tumor involvement were considered. The combined modality treatment of patients with metastases of melanoma with unknown primary site had allowed 10 patients to survive more than 3 years with no evidence of disease progression. The complete response was achieved in 10 (47,6 %) patients, partial response in 8 (38,1 %) patients and disease progression in 3 (14,3 %) patients. The 5-year survival rate was 46,1 ± 12,0 % and the median follow-up time was 52,0 ± 11,2 months.