Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to describe a new case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) and to review the recent literature. A 75-year-old man underwent an esophagoscopy for a 3-month history of dysphagia and weight loss. A pigmented polypoïd mass in the lower third of esophagus was discovered, identified by biopsy as a malignant melanoma. No pigmented lesions of the skin or eyes were observed and a diagnosis of PMME was made. A total transhiatal esophagectomy was carried out and 12 months after the operation the patient is disease-free. PMME is a rare neoplasm, with only 238 cases having been reported in the literature. Although characterized by an aggressive biological behavior, esophagectomy can result in a 5-year survival rate of up to 37% of cases, whereas chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy currently have no major role in treatment.

• Authors: E Volpin, A Sauvanet, A Couvelard, J Belghiti
• Journal: Diseases of the esophagus : official journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (Dis Esophagus) Vol. 15 Issue 3 Pg. 244-9 ( 2002) ISSN: 1120-8694 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12444999 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Aged
• Anastomosis, Surgical
• Biopsy, Needle
• Esophageal Neoplasms (diagnosis, surgery)
• Esophagectomy (methods)
• Esophagoscopy
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Melanoma (diagnosis, surgery)
• Risk Assessment
• Stomach (surgery)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome