Posterior mediastinal melanoma causing severe dysphagia: A case report

Elisa Meacci,Antonino Mulè,Claudia Maggiore,Alfredo Cesario,Stefano Margaritora

doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-316

Abstract

IntroductionWe describe an original case of progressive severe dysphagia caused by a posterior mediastinal metastatic melanoma of unknown origin. To the best of our knowledge, such an event has never been described before in the literature.Case presentationA progressive severe dysphagia case is reported induced by a melanoma of unknown origin (metastatic to a posterior mediastinal lymph node). At the time of diagnosis, the lesion appeared as a large posterior mediastinal mass mimicking a neurogenic tumour with oesophageal involvement. After complete resection, pathological assessment of the tumour by immunohistochemistry was consistent with nodal metastatic melanoma.ConclusionThis report of a posterior mediastinal lymph node melanoma is unique. The nodal origin is definitely unusual: a primary melanoma should always be carefully ruled out. In fact no other evidence, a part from the absence of the tumour elsewhere, can support the diagnosis of a primary nodal melanoma.

Highlights

We describe an original case of progressive severe dysphagia caused by a posterior mediastinal metastatic melanoma of unknown origin
Metastatic melanoma arising from an unknown primary site (MUP) was first described in 1952 [2]
Rare and sparse reports have reported the characteristics of metastatic melanoma occurring as a mediastinal mass

Summary

Conclusion

This report of a posterior mediastinal lymph node melanoma is unique. The nodal origin is definitely unusual: a primary melanoma should always be carefully ruled out. No other evidence, a part from the absence of the tumour elsewhere, can support the diagnosis of a primary nodal melanoma

Introduction

Findings

Discussion