title: Microsurgery for the treatment of primary malignant intracranial melanoma: a surgical series and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary malignant intracranial melanomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system. These tumors are highly malignant and are associated with poor prognosis. The field of neurosurgery has struggled with the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we present a surgical series of eight patients with primary malignant intracranial melanomas and retrospectively analyze the clinical features, imaging findings, pathological features and prognoses of these patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients underwent microsurgery. Total and subtotal resection of the tumor was achieved in six and two patients, respectively. Of the eight patients, seven showed improvement while one remained the same at time of discharge. There was no neurosurgical deterioration. Radiotherapy was conducted in six patients after operation. The average follow-up duration was 13.8 months (range = 9-26 months). During the follow-up period, three patients died from this disease. One patient suffered from recurrence at the 16th month and underwent second surgery. The other patients were still alive with no evidence of tumor recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microsurgery and radiotherapy should be the first line managements for patients with primary malignant intracranial melanomas. Improvements in chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies may provide more effective treatments for malignant intracranial melanomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China.
authors.forename: Z-Z
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China. Electronic address: wyj024@vip.sina.com.
authors.forename: Y-J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China.
authors.forename: S-G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping Ward, Shenyang 110001, China.
authors.forename: D-G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Xing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Chemotherapy; Melanoma; Microsurgery; Radiotherapy