Levodopa administration and multiple primary cutaneous melanomas

Arch Dermatol. 1980 Sep;116(9):1041-44.

Abstract

Malignant melanoma derives from melanocytic cells that possess the special biochemical pathway for the conversion of levodopa to melanin. Levodopa is widely employed in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and several patients receiving levodopa have been observed to have acquired melanomas, raising concern about a possible relationship between this drug and the tumor. We encountered a 74-year-old woman in whom three distinct primary melanomas developed after she had been receiving long-term therapy with levodopa and a decarboxylase inhibitor. These lesions could be distinguished histologically from epidermotropic metastatic melanoma. Although the association between levodopa and melanoma is tenuous, careful monitoring of pigmentary changes in patients receiving levodopa is advised.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / administration & dosage
  • Levodopa / adverse effects*
  • Melanoma / chemically induced*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / chemically induced*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tremor / drug therapy

Substances

  • Levodopa