Melanoma Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Melanoma, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment.

An unusual case of tumor-to-cavernoma metastasis. A case report and literature review.

Chan CH, Fabinyi GC, Kalnins RM

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Metastases of systemic neoplasia to preexisting intracranial mass lesions are uncommon phenomena. Tumor-to-intracranial cavernoma metastases are even more unusual and rarely reported. We describe here a case of melanoma to intracranial cavernoma metastasis. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 39-year-old woman presented after an episode of generalized tonic-clonic seizure on a background of infrequent epilepsy. She was found to have a left parieto-occipital hemorrhagic lesion on imaging studies. The lesion was surgically removed and histopathology showed a metastatic melanoma within a cavernoma. CONCLUSION: This case report represents the third recorded case of tumor-to-intracranial cavernoma metastasis and the first melanoma to intracranial cavernoma metastasis. An extensive literature review of tumor-to-intracranial tumor metastases was conducted and disclosed an increase in reporting of the uncommon phenomenon of metastasis into preexisting intracranial lesions. It should therefore be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with history of systemic cancer who present with progression of preexistent intracranial lesions.

Published 13 March 2006 in Surg Neurol, 65(4): 402-8, discussion 409.
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