Sudden death associated with melanoma brain metastases

Durão H Carlos,Nina Pedro,Veiga G Marcos,Frederico Pedrosa,Gonçalves M Manuela

doi:10.3126/jpn.v8i2.20896

Abstract

A 48-year-old male Caucasian, with no relevant medical history except for a mild depression, was found by the partner, passed out on the bedroom floor. Since he was found in cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted, without success. Initially, it was suspected to be a suicide attempt and autopsy findings revealed coronary atherosclerosis of about 40%, with no other recoverable cardiac findings.The brain showed multiple probable neoplastic lesions, associated with cerebral and cerebellar hemorrhage. The primary tumor was not identified, but the victim had multiple cutaneous nevi. Histological examination revealed melanoma metastases, confirmed by immunohistochemistry.In this case, the forensic autopsy allowed an accurate determination of the cause of death. Besides having fulfilled its role to the judiciary system, the autopsy also had relevance from an epidemiological point of view, which is essential for Public Health prevention programs.

Highlights

Brain metastases usually occur at advanced stages of cancer
Intracranial metastases can be located in the parenchyma or the meninges
Malignant melanoma is the third most common cause of central nervous system (CNS) metastases, after breast and lung cancer, it has the highest propensity to metastasize to that location.[7]

Summary

Introduction

Brain metastases usually occur at advanced stages of cancer. brain metastases can be the first and only clinical manifestation of an unknown tumor.[1,2] It is estimated that 20% to 25% of cancer patients develop brain metastases and autopsy studies demonstrate that up to 25% of patients die from it.[1,3,4] A study shows that 3 to 14% of all intracranial metastases will eventually bleed.[5]Intracranial metastases can be located in the parenchyma (cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, brainstem) or the meninges. Sudden death associated with melanoma brain metastases. Brain metastases usually occur at advanced stages of cancer.

Results

Conclusion