Neurofibromatosis and neural crest neoplasms: primary acquired melanosis and malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva

Surv Ophthalmol. 1989 Mar-Apr;33(5):373-9. doi: 10.1016/0039-6257(89)90014-3.

Abstract

With an occurrence of approximately 1 in 3000 births, von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF) is one of the most common inherited human disorders. NF is considered a neurocristopathy, a disorder of neural crest derived cells. One of the complications of NF is the development of neural crest derived malignancies such as malignant schwannoma, pheochromocytoma, and malignant melanoma of the skin and choroid. The case history of a patient with NF and conjunctival malignant melanoma which developed in an eye with primary acquired melanosis is yet another example of a neural crest malignancy developing in a NF patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / complications*
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / complications*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanosis / complications*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Crest*
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / complications*