Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus —A case report—

An unusual case of primary esophageal melanoma is reported herein. A 68 year old man who had experienced occasional dysphagia for about one month without suffering any weight loss was admitted to our department. An esophagogram revealed two lobulated masses and esophagoscopy showed a pigmented tumor in one of the masses. Curative surgery was thus performed through a right thoracotomy. The macroscopic appearance of the resected specimen was very unusual and it was subsequently proven to be primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus by histological examination. Postoperatively, cyclophosphamide and interleukin-2 were administered intravenously, followed by lymphokine-activated killer therapy. However, multiple liver metastases were found on a CT scan, 3 months after the operation and the died about 1 month later. The operative indications for primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus are discussed in this report.     

Curatively resected primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus: Report of a case

We report herein a rare case of primary esophageal malignant melanoma in a 49-year-old Japanese woman who presented with a 3-week history of dysphagia. Esophagogram and esophagoscopy demonstrated a polypoid tumor in the upper to mid-thoracic portion of the esophagus, and a radical subtotal esophagectomy was performed through a right thoracotomy. Histological and immunohistochemical studies proved this tumor to be a primary esophageal malignant melanoma. She received no postoperative adjuvant therapy and no signs of recurrence have been clinically observed for the 22 months since her operation.     

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus--a case report

An unusual case of primary esophageal melanoma is reported herein. A 68 year old man who had experienced occasional dysphagia for about one month without suffering any weight loss was admitted to our department. An esophagogram revealed two lobulated masses and esophagoscopy showed a pigmented tumor in one of the masses. Curative surgery was thus performed through a right thoracotomy. The macroscopic appearance of the resected specimen was very unusual and it was subsequently proven to be primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus by histological examination. Postoperatively, cyclophosphamide and interleukin-2 were administered intravenously, followed by lymphokine-activated killer therapy. However, multiple liver metastases were found on a CT scan, 3 months after the operation and he died about 1 month later. The operative indications for primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus are discussed in this report.     

Unusual malignant neoplasms of the esophagus. Oat cell carcinoma, melanoma, and sarcoma.

Primary noncarcinomatous malignant neoplasms of the esophagus are uncommon and data concerning treatment and results are sparse. To evaluate the results of therapy in this group, we reviewed the records of 32 patients with primary esophageal malignant tumors of unusual histologic type. Thirteen patients (41%) had sarcoma, eight (25%) melanoma, and 11 (34%) had oat cell carcinoma. Dysphagia was present in 78% (25/32) of the patients for a median of 13 weeks before diagnosis. Location of the esophageal primary tumor was upper third in four patients (12%), middle third in 12 (38%), and lower third in 16 (50%). Treatment consisted of esophagectomy in 10 of 13 patients with sarcoma (77%), seven of eight with melanoma (88%), and three of 11 with oat cell carcinoma (27%). Patients not undergoing resection received chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or both. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 46% and 23% for sarcoma (median 20 months), 13% and 0% for melanoma (median 5 months), and 0% and 0% for oat cell carcinoma (median 5 months), respectively. Distant disease was the initial form of recurrence in 73% (11/15) of patients undergoing curative therapy. Surgical resection appears indicated for localized primary esophageal sarcoma. Optimum treatment of primary esophageal melanoma is less clear, but surgical resection may be of benefit in selected patients. Esophageal oat cell carcinoma is a systemic disease necessitating systemic therapy with local therapy reserved for palliation of dysphagia.     

Amelanotic malignant melanoma of the esophagus. Report of a case

Primary malignant melanomas of the esophagus are rare neoplasms with aggressive behavior and tendency to lymphatic and hematogenous spread. We report on a patient affected with a primary amelanotic melanoma of the esophagus synchronous to a squamous cell carcinoma of the epiglottis and treated by subtotal esophagectomy. A 58-year-old woman presented with a three-month history of dysphagia, retrosternal pain and weight loss. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 3 cm, non pigmented, polypoid mass of the middle esophagus and biopsy was consistent with undifferentiated carcinoma. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed a 0.5 cm, polypoid lesion of the right aspect of the epiglottis consistent with a squamous cell carcinoma. The esophageal neoplasm was treated by subtotal esophagectomy while the squamous cell carcinoma of the epiglottis was referred to radiotherapy 1 month after surgery. Microscopy showed diffuse proliferation of anaplastic cells with multiple mitotic figures, marked nuclei and multilobulated nucleoli. The neoplasm stained positive for HBM-45 antigen and S-100 protein. Tumor stage was pT1N0M0. Review of patient's medical history and exploration of skin and mucous membranes failed to reveal malignant lesions and definitive diagnosis was primary amelanotic malignant melanoma of the esophagus. The patient died 16 months after surgery of disseminated disease. In conclusion the present case confirms that primary malignant melanomas of the esophagus have a dismal outcome even in cases of early-stage lesions amenable to surgical resection.     

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus: a case report

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is an uncommon tumor associated with a poor survival (5% at 5 years), even when resected at an early stage. Because its symptoms are no different from those of other malignant tumors of the esophagus, histopathologic examination is usually needed to reach a definitive diagnosis. A 57-year-old white nonsmoking nonalcoholic woman was referred to our department after 2 months of increasing dysphagia, odynophagia, and weight loss (5 kg in 2 months). Esophagogastroscopy revealed a dark blue, pediculated, polypoid lesion. Biopsies were taken. Endoscopic ultrasound showed a hyperechoic heterogeneous tumor. Barium esophagogram showed a filling defect of ~ 6 cm in the middle-low esophagus, and thoracic and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a well-delimited esophageal tumor with no clear lymph node enlargement. The pathology report described a proliferation of small spindle-shaped or stellate cells arranged in a spiral or fascicular structure. All tumor cells were intensively positive for immunoreaction, using HMB45 antimelanoma antibodies. To remove the tumor, distal esophagectomy through a double abdominal and thoracic approach was performed. No postoperative complications were reported and no chemo- or radiotherapy was given. The patients is still alive with no evidence of recurrence at 9 months after the operation.     

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is a rare but aggressive tumor that accounts for less than 0.1-0.2% of all esophageal malignancies. The aim of this study was to report a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus in a 72-year-old woman. The diagnosis was histologically proven, but the patient died despite extensive surgical resection.     

Endoscopic Nd:YAG laser and radiation therapy for primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is rare. Reports on approximately 112 cases have appeared in the world literature. We report the 113th case in the eldest known patient at the time of diagnosis. Endoscopic neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser coagulation, in conjunction with radiation therapy, was performed. This nonsurgical treatment combination appears to provide adequate palliative therapy for primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus.     

Ösophagustumor mit Aorteninfiltration

In patients with esophageal cancer, aortoesophageal fistulas may occur spontaneously or after stenting of the esophagus. An 80-year-old patient with severe dysphagia was diagnosed with a tumor of the esophagus and mediastinum with an undetermined histology but with malignant features. The tumor had grown into the aortic wall, resulting in a covered perforation with local hematoma. To seal the leakage and preserve the aortic blood flow, an endovascular prosthesis was implanted into the thoracic aorta. Thereafter, a coated, self-expandable esophageal stent was placed, with excellent palliative effects. This case demonstrates that in selected cases of malignant infiltration of the aortic wall, endovascular stenting may be feasible and beneficial.     

Simultaneous resection of metastatic melanoma in the esophagus and primary cutaneous melanoma showing partial regression: report of a case

We herein describe a case of melanoma that metastasized to the esophagus from a primary melanoma of the abdominal skin in a 40-year-old female. Esophagography and endoscopy demonstrated a 30-mm protruding mass in the proximal third of the esophagus, and this was diagnosed as malignant melanoma by mucosal biopsy. The patient also had a pigmented lesion on her abdominal skin, which was diagnosed immunohistochemically as a primary malignant melanoma from the resected specimen. The esophageal tumor was resected by transthoracic esophagectomy. Histopathologically, the radial growth phase of the tumor cells was not present in the esophageal lesion, which was diagnosed as melanoma metastatic to the esophagus. Postoperatively, the patient received 5 courses of DAV-Feron chemotherapy. Eight months after the chemotherapy, multiple metastases developed, including to the subcutis, bronchus, liver, adrenal gland and mediastinum. Chemotherapy was not effective at this stage. The patient died of multiple organ failure 21 months after initial esophagectomy.     

钛镍记忆合金网状支架治疗食管贲门狭窄

作者使用形状记忆合金支架治疗９５例食管恶性狭窄,３５例吻合口瘢痕狭窄。所有病例均失去手术机会,使用扩张、化疗、放疗、激光等治疗也无效。治疗后,吞咽困难从３．７１±０．４５（３～４级）降到１．０８±０．５９（０～２级）（Ｐ＜０．０１）。并发症发生４９例（３１．５％）,其中胸痛３６例,出血５例,肿瘤过度生长４例,支架移位２例,食物堵塞２例。通过近三年的临床应用和疗效观察,作者认为,食管贲门狭窄放置钛镍记忆合金支架是一种有效、安全、简单方法。     

Treatment of oncogenic emergencies in esophageal disease

Common oncogenic emergent conditions of the esophagus are esophageal fistula with malignancy and peptic ulcer, perforation by a foreign body, and rupture (Boerhaave's syndrome) and bleeding with malignancy. The current standard of palliative therapy for patients with malignant tracheoesophageal fistula is endoscopic replacement using covered self-expandable metallic stents in the esophagus and/or trachea. We successfully treated two patients with esophageal bleeding caused by malignant ulceration. To prevent the formation of an aortoesophageal fistula, a covered self-expandable metallic stent was inserted into the esophagus and aorta. Insertion of covered self-expandable metallic stents in patients with esophageal malignancies significantly improves dysphagia, seals fistulas/perforations and ulcerations, and is associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. Spontaneous esophageal rupture, also known as Boerhaave's syndrome, is a rare condition. Primary repair is appropriate for ruptures diagnosed early. Many are diagnosed late and T-tube drainage may be the simplest way to manage this difficult condition in this situation.     

The efficacy of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of malignant esophageal strictures and fistulas.

OBJECTIVES: Esophageal strictures and esophagorespiratory fistulas are complications of malignant esophageal tumors, which are difficult to manage. The efficacy of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) for palliation of malignant esophageal strictures and fistulas was investigated prospectively. METHODS: Forty-three SEMS were inserted in 41 patients with malignant esophageal stricture or fistula. Our series included 32 men and nine women, of whom median age was 61.4 years. Twenty nine stents were inserted for stricture, ten for esophago-tracheal fistula, and four esophago-pleural fistula. Stents were inserted endoscopically under fluoroscopic control. RESULTS: SEMS implantation was technically successful in 40 of 41 patients. A second stenting was needed in two patients. Median dysphagia score improved from 3.4 to 1.3. The covered SEMS was succesful in completely sealing 85.7% of the fistulas. Complication occurred in 11 (26.8%) patients. Especially in the case of tumor stenoses in the distal esophagus, complication rate was higher (44%). In total six patients (14.6%) died after stent placement during early postoperative period. Procedure-related mortality was 4.8% (2/41). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that treatment of malignant esophageal obstructions, including esophagorespiratory fistulas, with SEMS is an alternative palliative procedure. Furthermore SEMS implantation seems more safe in the case of tumor stenoses locating in the middle esophagus.     

Oral malignant melanoma detected after resection of amelanotic pulmonary metastasis

INTRODUCTIONSolitary pulmonary metastasis from oral malignant melanoma is very rare.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe demonstrated a 84-year-old patient with a lung nodule that was diagnosed as malignant melanoma by video-assisted thoracoscopic resection. Because primary pulmonary malignant melanoma was extremely rare, the tumor was thought to be a metastasized from an occult primary lesion. A detailed physical examination revealed a black tumor in the oral cavity, and this was suspected to have been the primary. Resection of the hard palate tumor and dissection of the cervical lymph nodes were performed. The patient was simply followed up without further therapy at his request, and he died one year after surgery due to bleeding from a pleural metastasis of malignant melanoma.DISCUSSIONPrimary melanoma of the oral cavity is rare, accounts for 0.5% of all oral cancers, and 0.8–1.8% of all melanomas. Because of absence of symptoms in the early stage of the disease and the presence of the tumor in relatively obscure areas of the oral cavity, the diagnosis is unfortunately often delayed. In view of the rarity of primary lung melanoma, when lung tumor was diagnosed as malignant melanoma, detailed physical examination of the entire skin and mucosa including the oral cavity was necessary.CONCLUSIONOral malignant melanoma was very rare, but oral cavity should be examined when the pulmonary nodule was diagnosed as malignant melanoma.     

Substernal gastric bypass of the excluded thoracic esophagus for palliation of esophageal carcinoma.

Curative resection is impossible in most patients with carcinoma of the esophagus or malignant tracheoesophageal fistulas, because of local tumor invasion or distant metastases. Optimal palliative therapy in these patients should relieve dysphagia and aspiration and restore the ability to swallow comfortably. This report describes a technique for palliation of carcinoma of the esophagus with a substernal gastric bypass after exclusion of the thoracic exophagus with the GIA surgical stapler. The results of this procedure in 10 patients with advanced malignant disease are discussed. Although postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were high, the quality of life achieved with this method of palliation was gratifying. Substernal gastric bypass of the excluded thoracic esophagus is an effective alternative to feeding tubes, prolonged radiation therapy, esophagogastrectomy, or colon bypass in patients with incurable, malignant esophageal disease.     

Vagal schwannoma involving esophagus.

A rare case of vagal schwannoma (neurilemoma) with involvement of the distal esophagus is presented. Chronic progressive dysphagia was the only complaint related to the schwannoma. Barium swallow showed narrowing of the distal esophagus. The tumor was embedded in the wall of the esophagus. After biopsy and diagnosis of benign schwannoma, it was dissected from the esophageal muscle and mucosa. Diagnosis of benign schwannoma should be made before excision of the lesion to avoid an unnecessary esophagectomy.     

胃肠道恶性黑色素瘤70例临床分析

目的 探讨胃肠道恶性黑色素瘤的诊治方法,提高诊治水平.方法 总结1965年7月至2007年6月收治的70例胃肠道恶性黑色素瘤患者的临床资料.结果 70例患者中男性27例,女性43例,年龄25～75岁,中位年龄53岁,其中50例发生于直肠,10例发生于肛管,10例发生于食管.1、3、5年生存率分别为48.3%、14.6%、6.5%,中位生存时间为379 d.63例接受手术治疗,单纯手术的25例患者和术后辅助化疗、放疗、生物治疗等综合治疗的38例患者的总生存率无统计学差异,Ⅲ期患者综合治疗组较单纯手术组生存率显著升高.风险因素分析提示病变深度为胃肠道恶性黑色素瘤的危险因素.结论 手术加综合治疗能提高Ⅲ期胃肠道恶性黑色素瘤的生存率;病变深度是影响生存率的风险因素.     

Differential diagnosis of occult primary malignant melanoma]

Controversy exists in literature about therapy and prognosis of malignant melanoma of unknown primary site. We investigated frequency, differential diagnosis and follow-up of patients with occult primary malignant melanoma treated at the University of Leipzig in 1996. Among 135 patients with malignant melanoma (MM) seven were found without known primary. In two of seven cases the medical history pointed to regression of primary lesion of skin. In another two cases the diagnosis "melanoma" was changed to "lung cancer" after autopsy and in one case there was a relationship to a naevus blue resected nine months before. Recurrences or metastases occurred within six months after therapy. Two patients are still alive free of disease after a follow up of 33 and 24 months. Five patients died from tumor progression between 2 to 14 months postoperatively. Pitfalls in differential diagnosis and ways to find out the primary are discussed. Patients with unknown primary malignant melanoma should be treated similar to those with known primary. Radical surgery is indicated because it's impossible to determine the prognosis of patients with unknown primary malignant melanoma.     

原发性消化道黑色素瘤的临床分析

目的 总结原发性消化道黑色素瘤的临床特点。方法 回顾性分析我院近10年住院治疗的8例原发性消化道黑色素瘤临床资料并复习献。结果 8例原发性消化道黑色素瘤中，原发灶位于直肠6例，小肠1例，食管1例，除1例直肠黑色素瘤术前得到确诊外，其余7例均被提诊，直肠黑色素瘤以便血，肛门疼痛和排便困难为主要症状；多表现为息肉样，均位于距齿状线以上5cm以内；少有色素沉着，小肠黑色素瘤以梗阻，腹痛，贫血为主要症状；造影和CT有助于发现病变，但确诊仍需病理学，食管黟 以素瘤多为黏膜下；胃镜可发现色素沉着；病理活检可协肋诊断。结论 原发性消化道黑色素瘤的临床表现与其他肿瘤类似，极易误诊，病理活检是确诊的主要手段。     

Primary malignant lymphoma of the esophagus--a case report]

We report a rare case of primary malignant lymphoma of the esophagus without extraesophageal involvement. A 69-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of dysphagia. Esophagogram revealed an irregularly marginal ulceration with stenosis at the abdominal esophagus. Endoscopic study showed an ulcerative lesion at the level of 30 cm from the incisor teeth. Esophagocardiectomy was performed. Resected specimen showed a shallow depressed ulceration, 6.5 x 6.0 cm in size, at the lower esophagus. Microscopic examination revealed malignant lymphoma of diffuse, large cell type. No evidence of involvement was found in the dissected lymph nodes and the bone marrow biopsy specimens. She has been well for 4 years and 6 months postoperatively.