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Review
. 2021 Dec;24(6):970-977.
doi: 10.1007/s11102-021-01186-9. Epub 2021 Sep 13.

Primary sellar melanocytoma

M Claus  1 , M Van Der Linden  2 , J Van Dorpe  2 , B Lapauw  3 , G T'Sjoen  3
Affiliations
Review

Primary sellar melanocytoma

M Claus et al. Pituitary. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: We present an up-to-date review of all published cases of sellar melanocytoma, a benign melanocytic neoplasm arising from melanocytes present in the leptomeninges surrounding the pituitary.

Methods: Both the Medline and Embase databases were searched for case reports or case series of patients with a sellar mass consisting of melanocytes.

Results: All 14 identified patients developed symptoms due to compression of the surrounding structures. Symptoms included pituitary dysfunction and visual impairment. All patients received a transsphenoidal resection as first-line treatment. The diagnosis is made on pathological examination but deciding whether a sellar melanocytic tumor is best classified as a melanocytoma or a melanoma is not straightforward.

Discussion: Genetic analyses can help differentiate between central nervous system origin and metastasis of a cutaneous melanoma with the presence of a GNAQ and GNA11 mutations or a BRAF mutation, respectively. First choice treatment is complete resection, and in case of incomplete resection or recurrence additional radiotherapy is advised.

Keywords: Leptomeninges; Pituitary tumor; Sellar melanocytoma; Transsphenoidal surgery.

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