Metastatic primary gastric melanoma: a rare clinical presentation and a review of literature

BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Jul 14;15(7):e249312. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-249312.

Abstract

Primary gastric melanoma is a rare clinical finding. It presents with upper gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss and melaena. It is often difficult to differentiate a primary gastric melanoma from primary cutaneous melanoma with gastric metastasis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy of the lesion for histopathology and immunohistochemistry help to reach a definite diagnosis. We report a case of primary gastric melanoma with metastases to the liver and bone. The patient was treated with palliative radiotherapy, palliative chemotherapy and a bone-stabilising agent.

Keywords: Cancer intervention; Gastric cancer; Malignant disease and immunosuppression; Pathology; Radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Humans
  • Melanoma* / diagnosis
  • Melanoma* / pathology
  • Melanoma* / therapy
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary*
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / therapy