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Pigmented (melanotic) schwannomas of the spinal canal
Author(s) -
Lowman Robert M.,
Livolsi Virginia A.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19800715)46:2<391::aid-cncr2820460230>3.0.co;2-c
Subject(s) - histogenesis , medicine , pathology , nervous system , anatomy , dermatology , immunohistochemistry , psychiatry
Primary pigmented neoplasms of the nervous system are rare tumors. The literature suggests that they behave aggressively and carry a guarded prognosis. We present 2 patients with pigmented schwannomas of spinal nerves who following therapy are alive, functioning and without evidence of tumor 14 and 17 years later. We wish to emphasize that the presence of melanin alone does not equate with a malignant course. The literature is reviewed and theories of histogenesis for these unusual lesions are discussed.