Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2012 Dec;55(12):1020-1025. 10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.12.1020.

Two cases of primary malignant melanoma of vagina

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Hursy@catholic.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina is extremly rare disease. This disease is one of non-cutaneous melanomas and accounts for 0.3% of all malignant melanomas. The most common symptoms is vaginal bleeding because the disease is usually in advanced stage at first visit. An appropriate and effective treatment protocol has not been established. The prognosis is poorer than those of other vulvar melanomas. It has been known the tumor size is the most important prognostic factor determining the survival outcome. We reported two cases of primary malignant melanoma of the vagina with review of literature.

Keyword

Primary malignant melanoma; Vagina; Immunohistochemistry

MeSH Terms

Clinical Protocols
Immunohistochemistry
Melanoma
Prognosis
Rare Diseases
Uterine Hemorrhage
Vagina

Figure

  • Fig. 1 There is about 3.5×2.5×3.5 cm sized lobulated mass in the posterior wall of the vagina. (A) The mass shows intermediate signal intensity on T2-weighted transverse image. (B) T2-weighted sagital image shows that the mass is closely contact to anterior wall of the rectum with suspicious focal invasion.

  • Fig. 2 A nodular protruding mass, measuring 3.4×2.8 cm, at the left vagina postoperative wall. It has a firm consistency.

  • Fig. 3 (A) The malignant melanoma is composed of elongated tumor cells with prominent nucleoli (H&E, ×400). The mitosis is frequent (arrows). The immunohistochemical staining of S-100 protein (B) and HMB-45 antibody (C). The tumor cell were positive with both of them (original magnification, ×400).

  • Fig. 4 Gross appearance of vaginal mass, dark brown color pigmentated fungating mass in the lower third of vagina.

  • Fig. 5 (A) The neoplastic cells involved subepithelial stromal tissue (H&E, ×100). (B) The malignant melanoma is composed of a epithelioid tumor cells with cytoplasmic brown melanin pigments and vesicular nuclei containing prominent nucleoli (H&E, ×400).


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