Nodal melanoma metastasis under infliximab therapy in a patient with nevoid melanoma first misdiagnosed as benign nevus: A potentially dangerous diagnostic pitfall in the era of biologic therapies

Abstract

We report the case of a 53-year-old Caucasian woman who developed nodal melanoma metastasis under infliximab therapy 2 years after the removal of a nevoid melanoma, which was initially misdiagnosed as a benign compound nevus. This case illustrates the potential link between tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- inhibition and the reactivation of latent melanoma. Furthermore, this case highlights the need for a complete skin examination before using anti-TNF- therapy to rule out atypical malignant lesions or melanomas that can easily be missed because of presentations such as nevoid melanoma. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.