Metastatic malignant melanoma arising in a mature ovarian cystic teratoma: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma arising inform the ovary is rare, with only 30 cases described in the literature to date. The case reported here occurred in a 19-year-old woman and was rapidly progressive, resulting in death only 37 days following initial presentation. Management of this case is discussed in the context of the other reported cases. Surgery, ranging from an ovarian cystectomy to a radical debulking procedure, has been the main treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy utilized in only 4 of the previous cases. Key problems in management relate to the ability to make the diagnosis at the time of surgery and the overall poor response rates of melanoma to adjuvant chemotherapy.

Ovarian malignant melanoma presenting with hypercalcemia and bone marrow infiltration: a case report and review of the literature

“…Primary melanomas of the ovary are thought to arise by malignant transformation of an associated dermoid cyst or monodermal teratoma. McNeilage et al 20 have described the characteristics of 31 cases of melanoma originating from mature ovarian cystic teratoma reported from 1901 to 2002. Cases without cystic teratoma have also been reported in the literature.…”

Management of melanomas of the female genital tract

“…McNeilage et al [49] identified 31 cases of ovarian melanomas. Thirteen (43%) of the patients died of their disease within 18 months of diagnosis.…”

Synchronous primary endometrial carcinoma and metastatic malignant melanoma in an ovarian cystic teratoma

“…A comprehensive literature review revealed 37 cases of malignant melanoma originating from ovary. The first case dates back to 1901 (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Cronge and Wooduff accepted absence of an extra-ovarian focus of malignant melanoma, presence of a focus of malignant melanoma in the same ovary harboring teratoma, and showing melanocyte junctional activity as diagnostic criteria for a primary ovarian malignant melanoma (17).…”

“…Primary ovarian malignant melanoma was first reported in 1901 (5). A total of 37 cases have been reported so far in the english literature (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”