Abstract
BackgroundPrimary melanoma of the adrenal gland is exceptionally rare as demonstrated by the few cases reported in the medical literature, and it has a high fatality rate. We present the case of a patient with two relapses and survival to date.Case reportWe describe the case of a 58-year-old Caucasian woman who consulted her doctor with symptoms of asthenia, anorexia and weight loss. A mass was palpated in her abdomen at the height of the left hypochondrium. A computed tomographic scan revealed a retroperitoneal mass measuring 10 cm × 15 cm originating in the left adrenal gland. A left nephroadrenalectomy and splenectomy were performed. Histopathologically, the retroperitoneal mass corresponded to a melanoma, and no primary melanoma was found in any other location. The patient was treated with interferon-α-2b. Three years after her diagnosis the patient presented with a retroperitoneal relapse of the mass measuring 7.2 cm, which was removed. Five years after the first relapse a new retroperitoneal relapse mass was diagnosed, which was also removed. Since then the patient has been healthy and free from illness.ConclusionHistological and immunohistochemical studies, together with the criteria described by Ainsworth et al. and Carstens et al., allowed us to diagnose primary melanoma of the adrenal gland.
Highlights
Primary melanoma of the adrenal gland is exceptionally rare as demonstrated by the few cases reported in the medical literature, and it has a high fatality rate
Primary melanoma of the adrenal gland is an exceptionally rare occurrence, as demonstrated by the few cases described in the medical literature [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]
We report a new case of primary melanoma of the adrenal gland diagnosed on the basis of histological and immunohistochemical studies and after having excluded the presence of hidden pigmented lesions
Summary
Primary melanoma of the adrenal gland is an exceptionally rare occurrence, as demonstrated by the few cases described in the medical literature [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. In 1990, Dao et al [6] described two cases, only one of them met the criteria for primary melanoma of the adrenal gland They reviewed the literature and included four well-documented cases: those published by Kniseley and Baggentoss [1], Dick et al [2], Sasidharan et al [3] and Carstens et al [4]. Primary melanoma of the adrenal gland has a high fatality rate; the patient described by Amérigo et al in 2000 [7] was still alive after 46 months of follow-up, at the time the clinical case was published, and this patient is still alive today. Case presentation A 58-year-old Caucasian woman consulted her doctor with symptoms of asthenia, anorexia and weight loss 15 days after they first appeared In her physical examination, pallid skin and mucous membranes were observed. Left 16 cm × 11 cm Asthenia, anorexia, weight loss, left abdominal mass and anemia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
