J Korean Geriatr Soc.
2009 Mar;13(1):39-42. 10.4235/jkgs.2009.13.1.39.
Esophageal Metastasis of Malignant Melanoma in a 66-year-old Female Patient
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. mhs1357@hanmail.net
- KMID: 2188423
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/jkgs.2009.13.1.39
Abstract
- Malignant melanoma is a malignant neoplasm originating from the melanocytes, which are cells derived from the neural crest. Gastrointestinal metastasis that spreads through lymphatic or hematogenous routes is an important prog- nostic factor; however, esophageal metastasis has rarely been reported. A number of immunohistochemical stai- ning methods for the pathological confirmation of esophageal metastasis have been introduced recently. Metastatic malignant melanoma is treated with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but the prognosis is very poor. We report the case of a 66-year-old female who presented with difficulty swallowing, epigastric discomfort, and multiple variable- sized esophageal nodules diagnosed as esophageal metastases from subcutaneous malignant melanoma.
