PRIMARY INTRAMEDULLARY SPINAL MELANOMA - DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT PROBLEMS

A 76-year old female patient with 9 year history of right mastectomy f or an infiltrating ductal breast cancer and no evidence of recurrent n or metastatic disease, was admitted due to pain in the lower thoracic area radiating bilaterally to the posterior aspect of the chest wall a t 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 resecte d, and found to be a malignant melanoma on pathological study. Postope rative irradiation and administration of dexamethasone did not improve the neurologic status.