Melanotic primitive neuroectodermal (neuroepithelial) tumor of medulla

A 69-year-old man had a melanotic primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the medulla displaying various neuroepithelial elements including undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells forming Homer Wright's rosettes as well as neoplastic neuroglia resembling those seen in medulloblastoma. The neuroglial tumor cells were verified by demonstrating glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the cells. These findings support the concept that the primitive neuroectodermal tumor and medulloblastoma are similar neoplasms. They have been described by such diverse names as melanotic medulloblastomas and progonomas. Review of 18 reported cases of intracranial melanotic primitive neuroectodermal tumors, including the present one, reveals that they have common pathologic features, are most frequent in the cerebellum and fourth ventricle, often metastasize widely within the neuraxis or even systemically, occur more frequently in children than adults, and strike males more often than females.