A RARE CASE REPORT OF METASTATIC MALIGNANT MELANOMA OF THE SMALL INTESTINE

Abstract

Malignant melanomas involving the Gastrointestinal
tract may be primary or metastatic
lesions. Mucosal melanomas of
the gastrointestinal tract are rare tumors
that represent about 1.5 to2.0 percentage
of all melanomas. The overwhelming majority
of malignant melanomas involving
the GI tract are secondary to metastatic
disease. Herein we report a case of metastatic
malignant melanoma of the small
intestine. The patient is a 56 year old male
with previous history of cutaneous melanoma
(operated ) who then presented with
symptoms of acute abdomen two years
later. Emergency laparotomy was done
and was found to have multiple black polypoid
masses in the jejunal mucosa which
was proved to be malignant melanoma
histopathologically. This case emphasizes
the need for a complete clinical assessment
and careful work-up of non-specific
abdominal symptoms in patients with a
past history of cutaneous malignant melanoma,
even after years of tumor-free follow-
up.