Korean J Radiol.  2012 Dec;13(6):823-826. 10.3348/kjr.2012.13.6.823.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Mediastinum: Radiologic and Pathologic Correlation in Two Case

• Park SY
• Kim MY
• Chae EJ

• KMID: 1397517
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2012.13.6.823

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma of the anterior mediastinum is extremely rare, accounting for 0.1-0.5% of all primary malignant neoplasms. These tumors may be mistakenly diagnosed as lymphomas, thymic carcinomas and malignant germ-cell tumors of the mediastinum. We describe two cases of primary malignant melanomas of the anterior mediastinum and report their CT and pathology findings.

Keyword

Mediastinal neoplasm; Mediastinal melanoma; Malignant melanoma; Anterior mediastinum; CT

MeSH Terms

Adult
Female
Humans
Male
Mediastinal Neoplasms/pathology/*radiography
Melanoma/pathology/*radiography
Middle Aged
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 45-year-old man with primary malignant melanoma of anterior mediastinum. A-C. Enhanced axial CT images show huge, lobulating-contoured mediastinal mass with pericardial effusion, pericardial nodules, and pleural effusion in left hemithorax. D. Photomicrograph of histologic specimen shows melanocytes with pleomorphic nuclei and brownish pigment (hematoxylin and eosin stain, × 400).

• 

  Fig. 2 41-year-old woman with primary malignant melanoma of anterior mediastinum. Enhanced axial CT image shows heterogeneously enhancing mass involving anterior mediastinum, displacing great vessels and heart to left side.

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