Dr. Glitza Olivia on the Prognosis of Melanoma Brain Metastases

Source: OncLive, July 2020

 

Isabella C. Glitza Oliva, MD, PhD, MS, an assistant professor within the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the prognosis of patients with melanoma brain and/or central nervous system (CNS) metastases.

Brain metastases or CNS metastases in melanoma have been a huge issue for many years. Of all the solid tumors, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer, melanoma has the highest likelihood of metastasizing or spreading to the CNS, including the brain and leptomeninges, says Glitza Olivia. Over the past 3 years, fantastic breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of patients with brain metastases, adds Glitza Olivia. However, patients whose disease spreads to the lining of the brain or spinal canal have a very poor prognosis and no therapies have been effective.

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