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Abele M, Forchhammer S, Eigentler TK, Popescu A, Maschke L, Lohse J, Lehrnbecher T, Behnisch W, Groll AH, Jakob M, Bernbeck B, Brecht IB, Schneider DT. Melanoma of the central nervous system based on neurocutaneous melanocytosis in childhood: A rare but fatal condition. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30859. [PMID: 38225622 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanomas of the central nervous system (CNS) based on neurocutaneous melanocytosis (NCM) are exceptionally rare in childhood and have been described only sporadically. Rapidly progressive disease may represent a major challenge for treating physicians, especially given the limited knowledge about this condition. This analysis aimed to increase knowledge about the occurrence and treatment of these malignancies. PROCEDURE Data on diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients aged 0-18 years with CNS melanoma based on NCM recorded in the German Registry for Rare Pediatric Tumors (STEP registry) were analyzed. Additionally, published case reports on this condition were analyzed. RESULTS In STEP, five patients with leptomeningeal melanoma based on NCM were identified, with a median age at melanoma diagnosis of 3.7 years. Various multimodal treatments were performed: (partial) resection (n = 4), irradiation (n = 2), trametinib (n = 3), different cytostatics (n = 2), and anti-GD2 immunotherapy (n = 1). All patients died between 0.3 and 0.8 years after diagnosis. Including published case reports, 27 patients were identified with a median age of 2.8 years at melanoma diagnosis (range: 0.2-16.6). Fourteen of 16 cases with reported data had a NRAS alteration (88%), particularly NRAS p.Q61K (85%). In the expanded cohort, no patient survived longer than 1 year after diagnosis despite multimodal therapy (including trametinib; n = 9), with a median survival of 0.4 years (range 0.1-0.9). CONCLUSIONS CNS melanomas based on NCM in childhood are aggressive malignancies without curative treatment to date. Therapeutic approaches must be individualized. Genetic tumor sequencing is essential to improve understanding of tumorigenesis and potentially identify new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Abele
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephan Forchhammer
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatooncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas K Eigentler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aryana Popescu
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Linda Maschke
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Judith Lohse
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Lehrnbecher
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Hemostaseology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Behnisch
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas H Groll
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Marcus Jakob
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Bernbeck
- Clinic of Pediatrics, Klinikum Dortmund, University Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ines B Brecht
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dominik T Schneider
- Clinic of Pediatrics, Klinikum Dortmund, University Witten/Herdecke, Dortmund, Germany
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Ruggieri M, Polizzi A, Catanzaro S, Bianco ML, Praticò AD, Di Rocco C. Neurocutaneous melanocytosis (melanosis). Childs Nerv Syst 2020; 36:2571-2596. [PMID: 33048248 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-020-04770-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM; MIM # 249400; ORPHA: 2481], first reported by the Bohemian pathologist Rokitansky in 1861, and now more precisely defined as neurocutaneous melanocytosis, is a rare, congenital syndrome characterised by the association of (1) congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) of the skin with overlying hypertrichosis, presenting as (a) large (LCMN) or giant and/or multiple (MCMN) melanocytic lesions (or both; sometimes associated with smaller "satellite" nevi) or (b) as proliferative melanocytic nodules; and (2) melanocytosis (with infiltration) of the brain parenchyma and/or leptomeninges. CMN of the skin and leptomeningeal/nervous system infiltration are usually benign, more rarely may progress to melanoma or non-malignant melanosis of the brain. Approximately 12% of individuals with LCMN will develop NCM: wide extension and/or dorsal axial distribution of LCMN increases the risk of NCM. The CMN are recognised at birth and are distributed over the skin according to 6 or more patterns (6B patterns) in line with the archetypical patterns of distribution of mosaic skin disorders. Neurological manifestations can appear acutely in infancy, or more frequently later in childhood or adult life, and include signs/symptoms of intracranial hypertension, seizures/epilepsy, cranial nerve palsies, motor/sensory deficits, cognitive/behavioural abnormalities, sleep cycle anomalies, and eventually neurological deterioration. NMC patients may be symptomatic or asymptomatic, with or without evidence of the typical nervous system changes at MRI. Associated brain and spinal cord malformations include the Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM) complex, hemimegalencephaly, cortical dysplasia, arachnoid cysts, Chiari I and II malformations, syringomyelia, meningoceles, occult spinal dysraphism, and CNS lipoma/lipomatosis. There is no systemic involvement, or only rarely. Pathogenically, single postzygotic mutations in the NRAS (neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homologue; MIM # 164790; at 1p13.2) proto-oncogene explain the occurrence of single/multiple CMNs and melanocytic and non-melanocytic nervous system lesions in NCM: these disrupt the RAS/ERK/mTOR/PI3K/akt pathways. Diagnostic/surveillance work-ups require physical examination, ophthalmoscopy, brain/spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography (MRA), positron emission tomography (PET), and video-EEG and IQ testing. Treatment strategies include laser therapy, chemical peeling, dermabrasion, and surgical removal/grafting for CMNs and shunt surgery and surgical removal/chemo/radiotherapy for CNS lesions. Biologically targeted therapies tailored (a) BRAF/MEK in NCM mice (MEK162) and GCMN (trametinib); (b) PI3K/mTOR (omipalisib/GSK2126458) in NMC cells; (c) RAS/MEK (vemurafenib and trametinib) in LCMNs cells; or created experimental NMC cells (YP-MEL).
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Affiliation(s)
- Martino Ruggieri
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Agata Polizzi
- Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Catanzaro
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), AOU "Policlinico", PO "San Marco", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Manuela Lo Bianco
- Postgraduate Programme in Pediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea D Praticò
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Concezio Di Rocco
- Pediatric Neurosurgery, International Neuroscience Institute (INI), Hannover, Germany
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Sung KS, Song YJ. Neurocutaneous melanosis in association with dandy-walker complex with extensive intracerebral and spinal cord involvement. J Korean Neurosurg Soc 2014; 56:61-5. [PMID: 25289129 PMCID: PMC4185324 DOI: 10.3340/jkns.2014.56.1.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) is a rare congenital syndrome consisting of benign or malignant melanotic tumors of the central nervous system with large or numerous cutaneous melanocytic nevi. The Dandy-Walker complex (DWC) is characterized by an enlarged posterior fossa with high insertion of the tentorium, hypoplasia or aplasia of the cerebellar vermis, and cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle. These each two conditions are rare, but NCM associated with DWC is even more rare. Most patients of NCM with DWC present neurological symptoms early in life such as intracranial hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, and malignant transformation of the melanocytes. We report a 14-year-old male patient who was finally diagnosed as NCM in association with DWC with extensive intracerebral and spinal cord involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Su Sung
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Young-Jin Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
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Leptomeningeal Melanoma With Foci of Rhabdomyosarcoma in an Infant With Giant Congenital Nevi. AJSP-REVIEWS AND REPORTS 2009. [DOI: 10.1097/pcr.0b013e3181a6e400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Kiecker F, Hofmann MA, Audring H, Brenner A, Labitzke C, Sterry W, Trefzer U. Large primary meningeal melanoma in an adult patient with neurocutaneous melanosis. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2007; 109:448-51. [PMID: 17382464 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2007.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2006] [Revised: 01/26/2007] [Accepted: 02/02/2007] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Neurocutaneous melanosis is often associated with melanoma of the central nervous system. Due to the inconspicuously looking cutaneous melanosis additional examinations are often not performed. We describe a patient with cutaneous melanosis who presented with neurological symptoms due to a large primary meningeal melanoma. The diagnosis of neurocutaneous melanosis was made. This case is an illustration of melanoma development in the central nervous system in a patient with cutaneous melanosis. This phenomenon should be kept in mind when observing patients with such skin lesions, even if they are of minor extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Kiecker
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Skin Cancer Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Meningeal derived tumors of the first 2 decades of life are often diagnostically challenging due to the wide morphologic spectrum encountered and the rarity of most individual entities. The 2 most common patterns include the dural/leptomeningeal-based mass and neoplastic meningitis. Both primary and secondary meningeal presentations may occur, either early or late in the course of various meningothelial, mesenchymal, embryonal, glial, hematopoietic, histiocytic, melanocytic, and inflammatory tumors. As in other areas of pediatric pathology, there are significant differences between this patient cohort and adults, differences which will be emphasized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arie Perry
- Division of Neuropathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo 63110-1093, USA.
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Caceres A, Trejos H. Neurocutaneous melanosis with associated Dandy-Walker complex. Childs Nerv Syst 2006; 22:67-72. [PMID: 15580515 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-004-1043-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2003] [Revised: 04/22/2004] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
CASE REPORT The authors report the case of a child with neurocutaneous melanosis associated with a Dandy-Walker complex. Magnetic resonance (MR) images showed shortened T1-weighted images in areas involving the amygdala, mesencephalon, rostral brain stem, and superior cerebellar surface compatible with melanin deposits. There was also partial agenesis of the cerebellar vermis with an enlarged fourth ventricle cyst along with a high-lying torcular and ventricular enlargement. Endoscopic fenestration and biopsy of the cyst wall was performed without evidence of abnormal melanin deposits in the meninges. OUTCOME The patient eventually required ventriculoperitoneal shunting and at 1-year follow-up did not develop evidence of primary CNS melanoma. ILLUSTRATION: Computed tomography and MR images consistent with neurocutaneous melanosis and the Dandy-Walker complex are presented along with photographs of the cutaneous nevi. DISCUSSION The major clinical and radiological features of this rare association, with only 11 previously reported cases, are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Caceres
- Neurosurgery Division, Children's Memorial Hospital, 2300 Children's Plaza, P.O. Box 28, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Abstract
This article outlines the clinical, central nervous system, and neuropathologic features,pathogenesis, genetics, molecular biology, and neuroimaging characteristics of the rare vascular phakomatoses, melanophakomatoses, and organoid phakomatoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Edelstein
- Department of Radiology, MIA Group Limited Box Hill Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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Cakirer S, Karaarslan E, Arslan A. Spontaneously T1-hyperintense lesions of the brain on MRI: a pictorial review. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol 2003; 32:194-217. [PMID: 12963867 DOI: 10.1016/s0363-0188(03)00026-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the brain lesions that cause spontaneously hyperintense T1 signal on MRI were studied under seven categories. The first category includes lesions with hemorrhagic components, such as infarct, encephalitis, intraparenchymal hematoma, cortical contusion, diffuse axonal injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural and epidural hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage, vascular malformation and aneurysm, and hemorrhagic neoplasm. The second category includes protein-containing lesions, such as colloid cyst, craniopharyngioma, Rathke's cleft cyst, and atypical epidermoid. The third category includes lesions with fatty components, such as lipoma, dermoid, and lipomatous meningioma. Lesions with calcification or ossification, such as endocrine-metabolic disorder, calcified neoplasm, infection, and dural osteoma, constitute the fourth category, whereas the fifth category includes lesions with other mineral accumulation, such as acquired hepatocerebral degeneration and Wilson disease. The sixth category includes melanin-containing lesions, such as metastasis from melanoma and leptomeningeal melanosis. The last category is the miscellaneous group, which includes ectopic neurohypophysis, chronic stages of multiple sclerosis, and neurofibromatosis type I. The above-mentioned lesions are presented with their typical T1-hyperintense images, and the underlying reasons for those appearances in magnetic resonance imaging are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinan Cakirer
- Department of Radiobiology, Istanbul Sisli Etfal Hospital, Turkey.
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