Melanoma With an Unknown Primary in an Asymptomatic Elderly Male With Unilateral Lymphadenopathy

Michael B Phan; Jonathan Phan; Chris Nguyen; Jing He; Quan D Nguyen

doi:10.7759/cureus.15140

Melanoma With an Unknown Primary in an Asymptomatic Elderly Male With Unilateral Lymphadenopathy

Cureus. 2021 May 20;13(5):e15140. doi: 10.7759/cureus.15140.

Authors

Michael B Phan¹, Jonathan Phan², Chris Nguyen², Jing He³, Quan D Nguyen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
² Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
³ Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
⁴ Department of Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.

Abstract

Melanoma with an unknown primary (MUP) is an uncommon metastatic melanoma without an obvious primary site. MUP has a higher prevalence in men in their fifth decade of life. The pathogenesis of MUP is still unknown but several hypotheses have been proposed including the predominant regression theory, occult cutaneous, or visceral location, or by the presence of ectopic melanocytes. Proper physical examination, imaging, and histopathological review are needed to diagnose MUP. Patients with MUP must be aggressively treated and monitored for recurrence. We present a case of MUP occurring in an asymptomatic 61-year-old male with axillary lymphadenopathy. We hope to raise awareness that melanoma of unknown primary can present in lymph nodes without external structural changes.

Keywords: melanoma; melanoma with an unknown primary.

Publication types

Case Reports