An Interesting Case of Acute Urinary Retention in a patient with Metastatic Vulvar Melanoma

Abstract

Noncutaneous malignant melanoma, especially involving the urogenital tract, is a rare occurrence. Despite the low prevalence, it is found to be an aggressive tumour, with patients most often presenting in the advanced stages with metastases. Vulvar melanoma is the second most common tumour to affect the vulva after epidermoid carcinoma. Most patients present with features of bleeding or pruritus. Urological manifestations are uncommon in such patients. Involvement of the lower urinary tract often indicates spread of the tumour to the surrounding areas. Although radical vulvectomy is the treatment for such cases, the prognosis is dismal. Here, we present a case of vulvar melanoma presenting with acute urinary retention.