Satellite in transit metastases in a case of loco‐regional metastatic conjunctival melanoma

Abstract

AbstractPurposeTo report the clinical and histopathological findings of satellite in transit metastases in one case of conjunctival melanoma with cervical and parotid lymph node spreading.MethodsCase report of a patient initially examined at Institut Curie, Paris, on September 2018, with histopathological analysis, review of the literature and discussion.ResultsA 82 year‐old woman was referred for additional treatment after the removal of a 3mm thick pigmented infiltrating conjunctival melanoma in the temporal bulbar conjunctiva of the left eye. Proton beam irradiation was planned but finally declined by the patient. TEP‐CT was prescribed and revealed cervical and parotid lymph‐node infiltration, treated by external radiotherapy in another radiotherapy center. She was referred again 8 months later for local recurrences in the left conjunctiva. We observed 11 pigmented conjunctival nodules in the temporal and supero‐nasal quadrants. We surgically removed them and proton beam irradiation of the entire invaded area was planned. Histopathological analysis of some conjunctival nodules revealed well‐delimitated subepithelial nodules of melanoma cells. These nodules were extravascular and aligned along microvascular channels, suggesting angiotropism and extravascular migratory metastases.ConclusionAngiotropism and extravascular migration seem to be implicated in satellite in transit metastases in conjunctival melanoma. It has to be recognized as according to literature it could be a marker of rapid metastatic disease progression and death of the patient.