Considering the data and including two patients of the authors, there exist only 18 authentic cases of primary malignant melanoma of the lower respiratory tract and/or the lung. The tumor was localized
in the endobronchial space in 7 cases and only once in the trachea. Endobronchial localization, together
with the involvement of the surrounding lung tissue, was found in two cases, whereas in 8 patients,
the tumor was found exclusively in the lung parenchyma. Successful resection could be
performed in 14 of the 18 cases. Survival was influenced primarily by operability, and on actual size
and extension. The authors question the role of the obduction in the diagnostic criteria, because most
of the survivors, even up to ten years postsurgery were considered primary. Apart from the various
imaging methods, diagnostic endoscopy (i.e., bronchoscopy) and the histology of the biopsy material
are major aides in the diagnosis of primary character, location, and operability, as well as in the
elaboration of the surgical plans, than it is usual in cases of other tumors.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.