Primary pineal melanoma with long-term survival: case report.
A rare case of primary pineal melanoma is reported. The patient was a 53-year-old woman who complained of a severe headache. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images revealed obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a mass lesion in the pineal region. A biopsy was performed through an occipital transtentorial approach. A black pigmented solitary tumor was seen without leptomeningeal dissemination. Histologic examination revealed melanoma. Chemotherapy consisting of dacarbazine, ACNU, vincristine, and interferon was used. Follow-up imaging studies showed dramatic reduction of the tumor without recurrence for 4 years. This report demonstrates that a solitary primary intracranial melanoma without leptomeningeal dissemination and with rare mitoses may yield a good result with chemotherapy.
Department of Neurosurgery, Chugoku Rousai Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
K
K
Yamane
T
T
Shima
Y
Y
Okada
M
M
Nishida
S
S
Okita
T
T
Hatayama
T
T
Nishida
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000473:pathology