VERY LATE CEREBRAL METASTASIS FROM MALIGNANT-MELANOMA

The appearance of cerebral metastases of malignant melanoma (MM) more than 10 years after the primary diagnosis is extremely rare. We report the case of a patient with a solitary brain metastasis of MM who came to our observation 11 years after the treatment of the cutaneous lesi on. This patient, who up until then had appeared disease free, present ed with two episodes of intracranial haemorrhage in a 5-month period. Neuroradiological findings (CT, MRI, angiogram) did not suggest a brai n metastasis. The correct diagnosis was reached only after histopathol ogical examination of the surgically removed lesion. On the basis of t his experience, we stress the importance of a long-term clinical and r adiological follow-up of all patients with MM.