Primary intramedullary spinal melanoma: diagnostic and treatment problems

J Neurooncol. 1998 Jan;36(1):79-83. doi: 10.1023/a:1005770929074.

Abstract

A 76-year old female patient with 9 year history of right mastectomy for an infiltrating ductal breast cancer and no evidence of recurrent nor metastatic disease, was admitted due to pain in the lower thoracic area radiating bilaterally to the posterior aspect of the chest wall at the same level, difficulties in micturition, urinary hesitancy, and progressive weakness of the lower limbs. Primary intramedullary spinal tumor was demonstrated by a MRI study of the spine, partially resected, and found to be a malignant melanoma on pathological study. Postoperative irradiation and administration of dexamethasone did not improve the neurologic status.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / therapy*