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Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus with multiple esophageal lesions

Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 4, pages 171–174 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Background A 48-year-old Chinese woman presented with a 2-month history of progressive dysphagia for solids, and (less frequently) liquids. She had minimal weight loss and no family history of cancer.

Investigations Physical examination, conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy, CT, fluorodeoxyglucose–PET, endoscopic ultrasonography, and histopathologic examination of excised tumor and biopsy specimens.

Diagnosis Primary malignant esophageal melanoma with submucosal infiltration but no distant metastasis.

Management Endoscopic polypectomy followed by near-total esophagectomy with esophagogastric anastomosis.

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Figure 1: Three videoendoscopic views of the esophagus of a 48-year-old female with a 2-month history of dysphagia
Figure 2: Gross image of a highly pigmented, ulcerated and hemorrhagic tumor excised from the esophagus of a 48-year-old woman
Figure 3: Histologic section of the resected esophageal mass
Figure 4: Histologic section and immunostaining of the resected esophageal tumor
Figure 5: Endoscopic view of three pigmented satellite polypoid lesions in a patient with malignant melanoma
Figure 6: Resected specimen of the esophagus of a patient diagnosed with malignant melanoma

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank A Thomas of Parkway Laboratory Services Ltd, Singapore, for her contribution of a histology slide, and J Wong for her editorial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. and Head of the Department of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. J Cheng is a Consultant Internist and Gastroenterologist at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital, and a Visiting Consultant at the Gastroenterology Department at Singapore General Hospital. A Wee is a Professor and Senior Consultant in the Department of Pathology at the National University of Singapore. KC Soo is the Director of the National Cancer Centre and a Professor at the National University of Singapore, KY Ho is an Associate Professor and Chief of Medicine at the National University Hospital, Singapore.,

    Khek Yu Ho, Jun Cheng, Aileen Wee & Khee Chee Soo

Authors
  1. Khek Yu Ho
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  2. Jun Cheng
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  4. Khee Chee Soo
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Correspondence to Khek Yu Ho.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Ho, K., Cheng, J., Wee, A. et al. Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus with multiple esophageal lesions. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 4, 171–174 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0761

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0761

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