Conjunctival melanoma arising from primary acquired melanosis in a patient with neurofibromatosis type I.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of conjunctival malignant melanoma (MM) arising from primary acquired melanosis in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1).

METHODS

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

A 66-year-old woman with a history of NF-1 presented with extensive pigmentation of the left bulbar conjunctiva. Conjunctival biopsies demonstrated MM arising from primary acquired melanosis with atypia. Two excision and cryotherapy procedures did not completely eradicate the conjunctival pigment, which was then treated with topical mitomycin C. Subsequent biopsies and clinical examinations have revealed no remaining tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Conjunctival MM is uncommon in patients with NF-1 and can be successfully treated with excision, cryotherapy, and topical mitomycin C.