Cutaneous malignant melanoma in a black patient with neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease).

A unique case of a cutaneous malignant melanoma arising in a black man with a familial history of neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) is reported. Although neurofibromatosis is believed to be a disorder of neural crest origin that is associated with a number of different malignancies, a definite association of malignant melanoma with neurofibromatosis has not been reported. The presence of a malignant melanoma arising on the trunk of a black man suggests an association of cutaneous malignant melanoma and neurofibromatosis--a malignancy and genodermatosis, respectively--of ultimate neural crest origin.