# Primary Intraventricular Amelanotic Melanoma: Case Report and Literature Review

**Authors:** Carlos Mávita Corral, Flavio Hernandez-Gonzalez, Kevin S Toache, Marco A Rodriguez-Florido, Luis A Gallego Hermosillo, Alejandro Suarez-Ramirez, Pedro A Gonzalez-Zavala

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.99205 · Cureus · 2025-12-14

## TL;DR

A rare case of amelanotic melanoma in the brain is reported, highlighting its diagnostic difficulty and poor prognosis despite treatment.

## Contribution

This case report adds to the limited literature on primary intraventricular amelanotic melanoma and emphasizes the challenges in diagnosis and treatment.

## Key findings

- The tumor was confirmed as amelanotic melanoma using histopathology and immunohistochemistry.
- Despite surgery and immunotherapy, the tumor recurred and led to fatal hepatic failure.
- The case underscores the aggressive nature and poor prognosis of this rare tumor.

## Abstract

Primary amelanotic melanoma of the central nervous system (CNS) represents an exceedingly rare neoplasm within the category of primary CNS melanocytic tumors. The absence of melanin pigmentation often complicates its identification, necessitating histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation for accurate diagnosis.

We describe the case of a 70-year-old man who presented with Parkinsonian features and was found to have a well-circumscribed intraventricular mass in the left atrium of the lateral ventricle (38×45×29 mm), hypointense on T1-weighted MRI with heterogeneous enhancement. Surgical resection was performed via a trans-intraparietal sulcus approach. Histopathology confirmed amelanotic melanoma, supported by immunopositivity for S-100, Melan-A, and HMB-45. The patient received adjuvant whole-brain radiotherapy followed by immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab. Although he initially improved, tumor recurrence occurred within five months, and treatment-related hepatotoxicity ultimately resulted in fatal hepatic failure one year after surgery.

This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and aggressive behavior of primary intraventricular amelanotic melanoma. Even with gross total resection and multimodal therapy, the prognosis remains poor. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are essential in addressing this rare entity.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** S100A1 (S100 calcium binding protein A1), PMEL (premelanosome protein)
- **Diseases:** hepatic failure (MONDO:0100192)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** S100A1 (S100 calcium binding protein A1) [NCBI Gene 6271] {aka S100, S100-alpha, S100A}, MLANA (melan-A) [NCBI Gene 2315] {aka MART-1, MART1}
- **Diseases:** hepatic failure (MESH:D017093), melanocytic tumors (MESH:D009369), Amelanotic Melanoma (MESH:D018328), Parkinsonian (MESH:D010300)
- **Chemicals:** nivolumab (MESH:D000077594), melanin (MESH:D008543), ipilimumab (MESH:D000074324)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12799226/full.md

## References

34 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12799226/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12799226