Therapeutic options for meningeal melanocytoma - Case report

Meningeal melanocytomas are uncommon lesions. They are generally considered to be benign tumors that derive from leptomeningeal melanocytes. A rare ca se of a metastatic spinal meningeal melanocytoma is presented. All relevant cases reported in literature since 1972, when the term "meningeal melanocy toma" was first used, were reviewed. Rates of tumor recurrence from 1 to 5 years were calculated for this rare lesion, based on published data and on additional information obtained from personal contact with most of the auth ors. Recurrency rates of 47 patients suitable for evaluation were correlate d with the different therapeutic approaches. Complete tumor resection alone and incomplete resection alone followed by irradiation appeared to be supe rior to incomplete resection alone in terms of disease-free survival. Stati stical significance was achieved for complete tumor resection at follow up between 1 and 4 years (range p = 0.010-0.050) and for incomplete resection combined with radiotherapy after 2 years (p = 0.034). Complete tumor resect ion should be considered the best therapeutic option, followed by incomplet e resection combined with postoperative radiotherapy.