Fotemustine in Treating Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Histologically confirmed metastatic malignant melanoma, meeting the following criteria:
• •* Metastatic lymph nodes or skin allowing for surgical resection
• •* At least 1 metastatic lesion (lymph nodes, skin, visceral, brain)
• •Measurable or evaluable disease
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •WHO performance status 0-2
• •ANC \> 2 x 10\^9/L
• •Platelet count \> 100 x 10\^9/L
• •Transaminases ≤ 2.5 times normal
• •Alkaline phosphate ≤ 2.5 times normal
• •Total bilirubin normal
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• •No severe uncontrolled infection
• •No other prior or concurrent malignancy (except basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the cervix that was curatively treated)
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •No prior chemotherapy
• •At least 2 weeks since prior adjuvant therapy
• •At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• •At least 30 days since prior participation in another clinical trial
• •No prior or concurrent prophylactic phenytoin