[Primary melanoma of the central nervous system].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the status of diagnosis and treatment of primary melanoma of the central nervous system.


METHODS
Six patients with primary melanoma of the central nervous system underwent surgery in our department between 1969-1999. Clinical presentation, operative findings, histological diagnosis, and prognosis were reviewed.


RESULTS
No typical symptom occurred in these patients. The lesions can mimic meningiomas and acoustic neuromas in location and radiological appearance. Total removal of tumors was only achieved in one case. Histological examination showed malignant lesions in 3 cases and benign lesions in others. Five cases were followed up and only two were alive.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary melanomas are extremely rare tumors of the central nervous system. Surgical removal of the lesion may result in prolonged remission or cure.
Zhang
Y
Y
Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, China.
Chen
L
L
Wu
J
J
Qin
Z
Z
Zhang
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult