Levodopa, melanoma, and Parkinson's disease.

Previous reports and the Physicians' Desk Reference caution against the use of levodopa in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with melanoma. A critical review of the literature reveals only anecdotal evidence to support a link between levodopa and melanoma. In fact, levodopa has an antitumor effect on melanoma. We report nine patients with PD and melanoma who were treated with levodopa/carbidopa (L/C). Current evidence suggests that L/C can be used safely in PD patients with a history of melanoma.