[Levodopa and malignant melanoma--case report and review of the literature. A contribution to causal relationship between levodopa and the development of malignant melanoma].
A 72-years old man with Parkinson's disease was treated with levodopa for 14 years. A superficial spreading melanoma (Breslow depth 1,8 mm Clark level IV) was diagnosed, developing on the back from a pigment lesion which had present for more than 10 years. Other case reports suggest a relationship between the administration of levodopa and the growth of malignant melanoma. On the other hand, epidemiological studies found no correlation. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown a possible anti-tumor effect of levodopa. Critical analysis of the literature leads to the conclusion, that there is no increased melanoma risk from levodopa.
Kleinhans
M
M
Dermatologische Klinik, Universitätsspital, Zürich.
Schmid-Grendelmeier
P
P
Burg
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa
Levodopa und malignes Melanom--Fallbericht und Literaturübersicht. Ein Beitrag zur Frage des Kausalzusammenhanges zwischen Levodopa und der Entwicklung eines malignen Melanoms.