Intest Res.  2019 Oct;17(4):561-564. 10.5217/ir.2019.00020.

Primary malignant melanoma without melanosis of the colon

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. daschu94@naver.com

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma (PMM) of the gastrointestinal tract is rare. Reported cases of PMM of the lower gastrointestinal tract typically describe anal and rectal involvement rather than colonic lesions. This report describes a rare case of a 50-year-old woman with PMM originating in the colon. The patient presented to Inje University Busan Paik Hospital with a 3-day history of blood-tinged stools. She underwent colonoscopy for a diagnosis of hematochezia. The colonoscopic examination revealed a large-sized semi-pedunculated sigmoid colon polyp with a reddish-colored mucosal surface. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed, and the final histopathological findings were consistent with a diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Systemic work-up was performed for assessment of metastasis and to identify the primary tumor considering the high metastatic rate of gastrointestinal malignant melanoma; however, no other malignant lesion was detected. Thus, she was diagnosed with colonic PMM. She underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection and lymph node dissection and has been recurrence-free for > 2 years.

Keyword

Primary malignant melanoma; Endoscopic mucosal resection; Colon

MeSH Terms

Busan
Colon*
Colon, Sigmoid
Colonoscopy
Diagnosis
Female
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Lower Gastrointestinal Tract
Lymph Node Excision
Melanoma*
Melanosis*
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Metastasis
Polyps

Figure

  • Fig. 1. Colonoscopy finding. A 2 cm-sized reddish polyp was observed at distal sigmoid colon.

  • Fig. 2. Pathologic findings. (A) Spindle cellular area and round nodular growing area were observed (H&E, ×40). (B) Spindle cellular area was observed (H&E, ×100). (C) Spindle tumor cells with frequent mitoses were observed (H&E, ×400). (D) Round nodular growing area was observed (H&E, ×100). (E) Round tumor cells with vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and frequent mitoses (H&E, ×400).

  • Fig. 3. Immunohistochemistry findings. (A) Positive for S-100 protein. (B) Positive for HMB-45 protein.


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