Melanoma of the uterus: A review of the literature

Abstract

Malignant Melanoma of the body of the Uterus (MMU) is rare. Various internet search engines were used. Information from 35 reports the earliest reported in 1974 and the latest in 2013 were identified. MMU can present as abnormal uterine bleeding and is most commonly reported in post-menopausal women. Reported ages of patients have ranged between 31 and 83 years. Primary and metastatic MMUs are very rare. The main environmental risk factor associated with cutaneous melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet radiation but the cause of primary MMU is unknown. There is no standard treatment in these cases but in patients who are fit to undergo surgery, usually radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic node dissection or sampling has been the main treatment in reported cases. Diagnoses of melanoma in reported cases were made histologically following surgery or endometrial biopsy. Thorough clinical examination is needed to rule out possible primary cutaneous sites of melanoma. Most patients tend to have a poor prognosis following presentation. Because MMU is so rare, it is difficult to research how to optimise treatment of patients. Ideally a multi-centre trial is needed regarding the treatment of the tumour in order to ascertain the best treatment to improve prognosis of patients. Primary or metastatic MMUs are rare and have been associated with poor prognosis. A multi-centre trial regarding the treatment of MMU is required to arrive at a consensus opinion.