Delayed malignant melanoma recurrence simulating primary ovarian cancer: case report.
Boutis A, Valeri R, Korantzis I, Valoukas D, Andronikidis I, Andreadis C.
3rd Department of Clinical Oncology, Theagenion Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. tboutis@otenet.gr
BACKGROUND: Metastatic involvement of the ovary from malignant melanoma is uncommon and presents a diagnostic challenge. Most cases are associated with disseminated disease and carry a dismal prognosis. Delayed ovarian recurrences from melanoma may mimic primary ovarian cancer and lead to aggressive cytoreductive procedures. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of malignant melanoma in a premenopausal patient is presented with late abdominal and ovarian metastatic spread, where ascitic fluid cytology led to an accurate preoperative diagnosis and the avoidance of unnecessary surgical procedures. CONCLUSION: Secondary ovarian involvement is associated with a poor prognosis and efforts should be made for adequate palliation. Pathologic diagnosis with non-invasive procedures is crucial in order to avoid unnecessary surgery. Surgical interventions may be undertaken only in selected cases of limited metastatic disease, where complete resection is expected.
PMID: 19021897 [PubMed - in process]PMCID: PMC2607274