Primary melanoma of the central nervous system: A case report and review of the literature

International Conference & Exhibition on Cancer Science & Therapy

15-17 August 2011 Las Vegas, USA

Rogers E and Hamm C

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Primary melanoma of the CNS is a very rare phenomenon. It can often be difficult to distinguish between a primary CNS melanoma and a metastasis, especially when the lesion lies within the delicate architecture of the spinal meninges. Here we present the case of a 59-year-old woman suffering progressively worsening headaches, eyesight deterioration, and intra-cranial hypertension. Shortly following the onset of saddle paresthesia and loss of complete urinary control, an MRI of the lower thoracic spine indicated a solitary spinal mass. Dermatological and radiological investigations ruled out any metastatic lesion and the diagnosis of a primary melanoma of the CNS was established. A surgical resection was performed, confirming the presence of a pigmented mass within the leptomeninges subsequently confirmed to be malignant melanoma via pathological analysis. The patient was treated with radio- and chemotherapy. Included also is a discussion of the literature relating to primary and secondary CNS malignant melanoma as well as the tools and techniques involved in differentiating between them.

Biography :

Eamonn Rogers is currently completing the 3rd year of his medical studies at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario. He currently chairs the distributed medical education (DME) Taskforce of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students (CFMS). This is his first foray in the field of academic medical research.