Incidentally discovered primary malignant melanoma of the trachea

Intern Med. 2012;51(13):1743-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.7552. Epub 2012 Jul 1.

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma of the trachea is extremely rare. We report here the first case of primary tracheal malignant melanoma in the asymptomatic stage. Incidentally, this 73-year-old man was found to have a flat tumor at the upper trachea on chest computed tomography scans. The tumor was surgically resected with end-to-end anastomosis and was diagnosed to be primary malignant melanoma of the trachea. Four months after the surgical resection, cervical lymph node metastasis was found. Despite the resection of metastatic lymph nodes and six courses of chemotherapy, he died of cachexia approximately two years after the discovery of the tracheal tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Melanoma / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / therapy