National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Primary melanoma of the central nervous system


Other Names:
Primary CNS melanoma; Primary melanoma of the CNS; Primary meningeal melanoma
Categories:
The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.
orphanet

Orpha Number: 252050

Definition
Primary melanoma of the central nervous system is a rare tumor of meninges arising from leptomeningeal melanocytes, typically in the perimedullary or high cervical region, in the absence of melanoma outside the CNS. The tumor is typically a darkly pigmented, solid mass, often containing hemorrhagic or necrotic areas, composed of sheets of pleomorphic cells with prominent nucleoli, with frequent mitotic figures and parenchymal invasion. Intracranial tumor may present with signs of raised intracranial pressure, focal neurological symptoms related to tumor location, seizures or subarachnoid hemorrhage, spinal tumor may present with back pain, muscle weakness, numbness, plegia or urinary incontinence.

Visit the Orphanet disease page for more resources.
Last updated: 1/1/2018
Although the exact cause of this condition is unknown, researchers have identified somatic mutations in the the GNAQ gene in 7 of 19 patients (37 percent) with primary malignant melanocytic tumors of the central nervous system. Somatic mutations are not inherited but occur during a person's lifetime. This mutation makes the Gnaq protein constantly active. The same mutation has been identified in approximately half of patients with intraocular melanoma.[1]
Last updated: 2/21/2014

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

  • Good Days provides help to patients with life-altering conditions. Assistance includes help with the cost of medications and travel.
  • The HealthWell Foundation provides financial assistance for underinsured patients living with chronic and life-altering conditions. They offer help with drug copayments, deductibles, and health insurance premiums for patients with specific diseases. The disease fund status can change over time, so you may need to check back if funds are not currently available.
  • The Assistance Fund provides various services, including education and financial aid, to help patients with a chronic or serious illness cover the cost of FDA-approved medications. Patients must be U.S citizens or permanent residents.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Primary melanoma of the central nervous system. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Küsters-Vandevelde HV1 et al. Activating mutations of the GNAQ gene: a frequent event in primary melanocytic neoplasms of the central nervous system. Acta Neuropathol. March 2010; 119(3):317-323. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=19936769.