Association between cutaneous melanoma and neurofibromatosis type 1: Analysis of three clinical cases and review of the literature

The authors report a rare association between cutaneous melanoma and Von Re cklinghausen's disease (NF-1) and analyze the possible meaning of this occu rrence. Various types of tumors have been associated with NF-1, in particul ar those of neuroectodermal origin, such as malignant peripheral nerve shea th tumors (MPNST) and phaeochromocytoma. The development of malignant melanoma in NF-1 patients is rare. Data from t he literature is enable to demonstrate an increased incidence of cutaneous melanoma in patients with neurofibromatosis but the association of these tw o disorders seems reasonable in theory, as both are abnormalities of a neur al crest origin. The cases described may represent not only a clinical report of two rarely associated disorders, but may also confirm the biological mechanisms respon sible for these infrequent diseases.