Are melanoma masses in the brain treated the same as brain cancer?

No: Melanoma masses in the brain can be treated with either open surgery or radiosurgery. These are managed differently than primary brain cancers.

No: Brain metastasis of melanoma is a grave situation. Brain cancers arising from the brain tissue itself are treated differently from brain metastasis or "mets." brain mets are tumors from remote locations in the body (melanoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, etc) which have spread to the brain.

Clinical trials: Primary melanoma of the eye or paranasal sinuses is different that metastatic melanoma to the brain from skin primary as the latter is related to sun exposure. A "braf and c-kit" mutation test should be done on all such tumors and patients are best treated as part of a clinical trial or protocol, available in leading cancer centers.

No: Melanoma masses in the brain are most often treated with radiation therapy although may require surgery in some cases. In addition, some newly approved melanoma drugs have been shown to shrink melanoma brain metastases.

Removal: If they are able to be removed by surgical means they are. Other methods include radiation treatment and systemic therapy.