Sign up for our Oncology Central weekly news round-up

Primary esophageal melanoma: a case report

Written by Pooja Patel & Colton Boudreau & Samuel Jessula & Madelaine Plourde
For clinicians Journal articles Melanoma Management Skin
Primary esophageal melanoma
A Case Report published in Melanoma Management explores the case of a patient with a 1-year history of progressive dysphagia, that after multidisciplinary investigation, revealed the diagnosis to be a due to primary esophageal melanoma.

Abstract

Primary esophageal melanoma remains a rare entity with less than 350 case reports noted in the current literature. This diagnosis is associated with a poor prognosis and early detection and management remains fundamental. In this report, we examine the case of an 80-year-old female who presented with a 1-year course of progressive dysphagia and weight loss. Investigations revealed a primary esophageal melanoma with no evidence of metastases. Pathology did not identify any targetable markers for systematic therapy and thus the patient successfully underwent a minimally invasive esophagectomy. Her postoperative course involved endoscopic esophageal dilatations due to an anastomotic stricture, as well as primary lung adenocarcinoma treated with radiotherapy but has otherwise remained without evidence of melanoma recurrence after 25 months from her surgery.

Read the article here

Practice points

  • Primary esophageal melanoma represents a rare entity that accounts for 0.1–0.2% of all esophageal malignancies.
  • The pathogenesis and risk factors for developing a primary esophageal melanoma remain poorly understood.
  • Given the rarity of these tumors, optimal management of patients with a diagnosis of primary esophageal melanoma is often difficult.
  • Most guidance for clinicians is limited with less than 350 case reports worldwide.
  • Primary esophogeal melanoma is associated with a poor prognosis with literature reporting a survival of 2.2% at 5 years and median survival of 10 months.
  • Early detection and an interdisciplinary approach remains fundamental for the diagnosis and management of primary esophageal melanoma.