Longest survival with primary intracranial malignant melanoma: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Primary intracranial malignant melanoma (PIMM) is rare, and its prognosis is very poor. It is not clear what systematic treatment strategy can achieve long-term survival. This case study attempted to identify the optimal strategy for long-term survival outcomes by reviewing the PIMM patient with the longest survival following comprehensive treatment and by reviewing the related literature. CASE SUMMARY: The patient is a 47-year-old Chinese man who suffered from dizziness and gait disturbance. He underwent surgery for right cerebellum melanoma and was subsequently diagnosed by pathology in June 2000. After the surgery, the patient received three cycles of chemotherapy but relapsed locally within 4 mo. Following the second surgery for total tumor resection, the patient received an injection of Newcastle disease virus-modified tumor vaccine, interferon, and β-elemene treatment. The patient was tumor-free with a normal life for 21 years before the onset of the recurrence of melanoma without any symptoms in July 2021. A third gross-total resection with adjuvant radiotherapy and temozolomide therapy was performed. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed no residual tumor or recurrence 3 mo after the 3(rd )operation, and the patient recovered well without neurological dysfunction until the last follow-up in June 2022, which was 22 years following the initial treatment. CONCLUSION: It is important for patients with PIMM to receive comprehensive treatment to enable the application of the most appropriate treatment strategies. Long-term survival is not impossible in patients with these malignancies.