Ileal malignant melanoma causing intussusception: report of a case

Surg Today. 2007;37(6):506-9. doi: 10.1007/s00595-006-3443-y. Epub 2007 May 28.

Abstract

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM) often metastasizes to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; however, primary MM of the small intestine is a controversial diagnosis. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman found to have a primary MM in the ileum. After clinical evaluation, the radiological workup, which included magnetic resonance enteroclysis (MRE), revealed a large polypoid intraluminal tumor. She underwent laparotomy and the lesion was excised. Histological examination of the resected specimen revealed morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of MM and a detailed postoperative examination failed to identify a primary lesion on the skin, anus, oculus, or any other site. The patient died of brain metastasis 6 months after surgery. According to our review of the literature, this is the first case of primary MM of the small intestine diagnosed with the help of MRE.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ileal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Ileal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Intussusception / etiology*
  • Melanoma / complications*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / secondary