A Rare Disease of the Digestive Tract: Esophageal Melanosis

Abstract

Esophageal melanosis which is characterized by melanocytic proliferation in the squamous epithelium of the esophagus and melanin accumulatin of esophageal mucosa (EM) is a rare disease of the digestive system. Although esophageal melanosis is considered to be a benign disease, its etiology is not cleared and has been reported to be the precursor lesion of esophageal primary melanomas. In this report, we aimed to note esophageal melanosis in a 55-year-old female case who applied to our clinic with difficulty in swallowing, burning behind the breastbone in the stomach, heartburn, indigestion, and pain in the upper abdomen after endoscopic and pathologic evaluation. Complaints dropped with anti-acid therapy and case was followed by intermittent endoscopic procedures because of precursor melanocytic lesions.

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“…There is no specific symptom or clinical entity pertaining to this pathology, which is usually incidentally diagnosed (2,7). It has been argued that chronic irritant conditions that lead to mucosal damage, such as chronic esophagitis, alkaline reflux, and especially gastroesophageal reflux are associated with the disease (1,(4)(5)(6)(7). Similarly, melanocytic nevi and malignant melanomas presenting with melanin accumulation come to the fore in the differential diagnosis of esophageal melanocytosis.…”

“…Despite this, cases progressing into malignant melanoma have been reported (10)(11)(12). There are publications suggesting the clinical and endoscopic follow-up of these patients because it is seen as a lesion that is a precursor for melanoma; it is proposed to be followed up with multiple biopsies (7,12,13).…”

Primary Esophageal Melanoma

“…Ключевые слова: первичная меланома пищевода, меланоциты, меланобласты, меланоз пищевода, эндоскопия, эндосонография 1 Тверской областной клинический онкологический диспансер 2 Тверской государственный медицинский университет 3 Московский клинический научнопрактический центр им. А.С.…”

“…Бордин, д.м.н., проф. 2,3,4 Адрес для переписки: Сергей Владимирович Щелоченков, workmedbox@gmail.com Для цитирования: Сутягин А.А., Щелоченков С.В., Гуськова О.Н. и др.…”

“…В структуре злокачественных новообразований пищевода меланома не превышает 0,1-0,5% [2]. Частота встречаемости ПМП наиболее высока среди населения Японии и, возможно, коррелирует с повышенной распространенностью меланоза пищевода (МП) в указанной группе [3]. По всему миру было описано не более 400 случаев, большинство из которых представляют собой клинические наблюдения [4].…”