A case report of malignant gastrointestinal melanoma of unknown primary origin

Authors

  • Sandra Patricia Cifuentes A Universidad de Nariño
  • Sandra Lorena Santacruz Rendón Universidad de Nariño

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22516/25007440.260

Keywords:

melanoma, metastasis, unknown primary neoplasms, gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

One of the unusual characteristics of cutaneous melanoma is its ability to metastasize in the small intestine. It is often diagnosed during autopsies of cutaneous melanoma patients.  Metastatic deposits have been found in 50% to 60% of these autopsies, but less than 2% to 4% of patients diagnosed with melanoma have gastrointestinal metastasis during the course of the disease. Between 4% and 9% of gastrointestinal melanoma cases have unknown primary tumors.

Rapid identification and resection of melanoma in the digestive tract could improve the patient survival rate and prevent complications such as intestinal obstructions from occurring. We present a rare clinical case of gastrointestinal melanoma of unknown primary origin. The patient had a clinical picture of nausea, hyporexia, epigastralgia, fatigue, paresthesias in the right dorsal region and had lost nine kilograms in three weeks. An abdominal CT scan showed three predominantly isodense liver lesions in the parenchyma, with some areas of lower density located in segments 2,5,7 and 8 of the liver. These were biopsied. Upper digestive tract endoscopy took biopsy samples of two hyperpigmented lesions in the second portion of the duodenum. Histopathological examination showed malignant melanoma. All typical locations of primary melanoma were excluded during the diagnostic procedure.

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Author Biographies

Sandra Patricia Cifuentes A, Universidad de Nariño

Especialista en Medicina interna, Fellow en Gastroenterología, Universidad Javeriana, Universidad del Rosario. Docente de la Universidad de Nariño. Gastroenteróloga  Fundación Hospital San Pedro, Nariño, Colombia.CC 52387294

Sandra Lorena Santacruz Rendón, Universidad de Nariño

Medica general, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Nariño. Pasto Nariño, Colombia. cc. 1087108198

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Published

2019-12-30

How to Cite

Cifuentes A, S. P., & Santacruz Rendón, S. L. (2019). A case report of malignant gastrointestinal melanoma of unknown primary origin. Revista Colombiana De Gastroenterología, 34(4), 416–420. https://doi.org/10.22516/25007440.260

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