Isolated metastatic melanoma to the pancreas in the context of myeloproliferative neoplasm: a rare occurrence

BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Mar 1;15(3):e246722. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-246722.

Abstract

Isolated metastatic melanoma to the pancreas is a rare occurrence, representing less than 1 per cent of metastatic melanoma. This case describes the clinical presentation and course of illness of a patient who was diagnosed with a solitary metastasis to the pancreas 11 months after a clear margin resection of a pT1b, stage IB melanoma. Her melanoma metastasis was diagnosed on Endoscopic Ultrasound-Fine Needle Biopsy (EUS-FNB). This patient was found to have a concurrent myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) at the time of diagnosis. This case importantly highlights the course of a rare finding in isolated metastatic melanoma to the pancreas that may have been accelerated by the patient's immunocompromised state with concurrent MPN. A high index of suspicion must be raised in patients with abdominal symptoms and melanoma history as the therapeutic window for these patients is quite narrow.

Keywords: dermatology; endoscopy; pancreas and biliary tract; pancreatic cancer; skin cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration
  • Endosonography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma* / pathology
  • Pancreas / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / diagnosis