Surgically treated gastric melanoma of unknown primary: A case report from a 10‐year survivor

Abstract

We describe an extremely rare case of simultaneous double melanoma of the stomach with no other obvious primary source. The patient has survived for more than 12 years post-complete gastrectomy. The patient was a woman in her seventies who was referred for anemia by another clinic. Esophagogastroscopy revealed an ulcerated gastric tumor that was diagnosed as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) by endoscopic biopsy. She was admitted to our hospital for further examination and treatment. Gastroscopy at our institution revealed two submucosal tumors in the gastric wall. Since no metastatic lesions were detected after systemic exploration, multiple GIST of the stomach was diagnosed, and a total gastrectomy was performed. Malignant melanoma was diagnosed in both lesions by a histopathological study of the resected stomach. The patient's postoperative progress was good, and thorough examination of the skin did not result in the discovery of any systemic neoplastic lesions which could be regarded as the source for the primary tumor. No anticancer treatments were used. The patient has survived, with no recurrence for over ten years postsurgery. Strong evidence is presented in this case for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric malignant melanoma.

Primary Gastric Melanoma – Is an Aggressive Strategy Worthwhile?

“…Primary gastric melanoma is represented in the literature by few case reports. Vast majority of cases reported were treated surgically [8] [9] [10] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]. Survival was better, with less recurrence, whenever a more aggressive strategy was adopted [15] [16] [19].…”