Vitiligo-like Depigmentation Associated with Metastatic Melanoma of an Unknown Origin

Although malignant melanoma usually occurs after the diagnosis of vitiligo-like depigmentation, the latter is rarely followed by the former. We herein report on such a case in which recognition of the vitiligo-like depigmentation preceded diagnosing the metastatic melanoma by several months. A 56-ye...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of dermatology 2009, 21(2), , pp.178-181
Main Authors: Cho, Eun Ah, Lee, Myung Ah, Kang, Hoon, Lee, Seung Dong, Kim, Hyung Ok, Park, Young Min
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case Report
피부과학
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Summary:Although malignant melanoma usually occurs after the diagnosis of vitiligo-like depigmentation, the latter is rarely followed by the former. We herein report on such a case in which recognition of the vitiligo-like depigmentation preceded diagnosing the metastatic melanoma by several months. A 56-year-old woman had first developed vitiligo-like depigmentation on the forehead, eyelids, neck and back 18 months previously and thereafter she detected a hard mass in the left axilla 2 months previously. Based on the histologic findings, the axillary mass was diagnosed as metastatic melanoma. To evaluate the primary tumor focus, thorough examinations that included PET-CT, bone scan and sigmoidoscopy were performed, but we couldn't find any the original primary tumor. Our case suggests that the vitiligo-like depigmentation could be a sign that heralds metastatic melanoma.
ISSN:1013-9087
2005-3894
DOI:10.5021/ad.2009.21.2.178