Metastasis of Malignant Melanoma in the Small Intestine. A Case Report

Monica Marin1, Liviu Vlad2, Mircea Grigorescu1, Zeno Spârchez1, Dana Dumitra1, Leon Muti1
3rd Medical Clinic. 2) 3rd Surgical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is the most common metastatic tumor of the gastrointestinal tract and can present with fairly non-specific symptoms. A 63-year old man with previous enucleation of the left eye for a malignant coroidian melanoma presented signs of intestinal subocclusion. Weight loss and a palpable mass deep on the paraumbilical left region were the significant physical signs. Because the state of the patient had worsened, the diagnosis was made by ultrasonography examination. Segmental intestinal resection with regional lymph node dissection was performed. Surgical resection can be performed safely as patients for whom all sites of disease are completely resected experience significant improvements in survival times, compared with patients who undergo an incomplete resection. For selected patients, surgical treatment of metastatic melanoma involving the gastrointestinal tract is appropriate therapy.

Key words

Malignant melanoma – metastasis - small bowel