Fotemustine in Treating Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

You may be eligible if

• 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