Primary Cervical Malignant Melanoma: 2 Cases and a Literature Review

Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2019 Mar;38(2):196-203. doi: 10.1097/PGP.0000000000000480.

Abstract

Primary cervical malignant melanoma (MM) is an extremely rare tumor, and we are only aware of 44 reported cases. Further information is needed with regard to this disease's clinicopathologic features. Two patients (55 and 81 yr old) with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding were diagnosed with primary cervical MM on the basis of hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry findings. Our literature review revealed that the average age in cases of primary cervical MM was 59 yr (range, 34-81 yr); 93% of patients presented with vaginal bleeding, and 82% of patients were diagnosed at an early clinical stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages I-II). Primary cervical MM is an extremely rare cervical tumor and is associated with a poor prognosis. Histologic morphology and immunohistochemistry are very important considerations for diagnosing this disease, which must be differentiated from cervical undifferentiated carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, and malignant peripheral schwannoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / therapy
  • Vagina / pathology

Supplementary concepts

  • Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix