Malignant melanoma rather than malignant cutaneous melanoma?

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 Apr;25(4):503-6. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e32835c8df2.

Abstract

We report a case of an 84-year-old woman with a history of resected cutaneous melanoma who presented with asthenia, weight loss, and severe anemia. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed five black-pigmented submucosal tumors with large ulcerations in the antrum of the stomach and in the duodenum, suspected metastases from melanoma. Histopathological examination indicated the presence of melanin-containing tumor cells and confirmed an ulcerated pigmented melanoma. To examine the entire gastrointestinal tract, capsule endoscopy was performed and it showed a simultaneous massive involvement of the jejunum and ileum, with more than 40 lesions. This case highlights the importance of a complete endoscopic gastrointestinal examination in patients with melanoma metastatic to the bowel and suggests that capsule endoscopy is an easy, noninvasive, and effective diagnostic procedure to investigate small-bowel involvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Capsule Endoscopy
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / secondary*
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery*