Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus: Long-term survival after radical resection

Abstract

A 55-year-old man had dysphagia of 4-month duration. Endoscopy revealed a large polypoidal pedunculated blackish mass located in the lower thoracic esophagus. A barium esophagogram revealed a lower esophageal mass. Computed tomography revealed a large polypoidal esophageal mass without any evidence of local invasion or distant disease. Endoscopic biopsy established the diagnosis of melanoma. A radical resection of the esophagus with three-field lymph nodal dissection was undertaken. The patient made an uneventful recovery. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of melanoma and positive lymph nodes. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given. He succumbed to systemic recurrence after 69 months. © 2009 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.