Primary small bowel melanoma. A case report and a review of the literature

• Published in: Il Giornale di chirurgia 2015-05, Vol.36 (3), p.128-132
• Main Authors: Spiridakis, K G, Polichronaki, E E, Sfakianakis, E E, Flamourakis, M E, Margetousakis, T H, Xekalou, A S, Lianeris, G K, Giannikaki, E S, Christodoulakis, M S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Biopsy; Clinical Practice; Diagnosis, Differential; Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Humans; Jejunal Neoplasms - pathology; Jejunal Neoplasms - surgery; Male; Melanoma - pathology; Melanoma - surgery; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0391-9005; 1971-145X
• DOI: 10.11138/gchir/2015.36.3.128

Primary malignant melanoma originating from the small intestine is extremely rare. Only a limited number of cases are described in the literature. Most commonly small intestine is affected by metastatic tumors from other primary lesions. We present a case of a 68-years old male diagnosed with primary malignant melanoma as an ulcerated and bleeding mass in the jejunum--located 40 cm away from the Treitz band. In our case the diagnosis was confirmed at laparotomy and enterectomy. Histology revealed a neoplastic infiltration involving the entire intestinal mucosa, with atypia of neoplastic cells and immunoreactivity to HMB45(+), Melan A(+) and S100(+), confirming the diagnosis of melanoma. There was not revealed a primary lesion in the skin, eye, anus, rectum or in other location by the post-operative investigation. An eleven-month close follow-up has not revealed any metastasis. Therefore a definitive diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma was set.