Primary malignant melanoma of the vagina: A case report and a mini review

Abstract

Primary vaginal melanoma is a rare and aggressive entity affecting the vaginal wall without any involvement of the uterine cervix or the vulva. It usually occurs in elderly women. We hereby present an 87-year-old woman who presented with recurrent vaginal bleeding. Vaginal examination revealed a 3cm hyperpigmented lesion on the anterior vaginal wall. The lesion was biopsied and the results of the histopathological examination were compatible with primary malignant vaginal melanoma. The diagnosis of vaginal melanoma is usually established by histology and immunochemistry. The therapeutic management includes surgical and nonsurgical modalities. Although surgery combined with adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy are acceptable therapeutic approaches, further studies are needed in order to assess the optimal management of women with primary vaginal melanoma.