Isolated amelanotic malignant melanoma of the heart

We report a 58-year-old woman presenting with dyspnoea and recurrent pulmonary embolism. Echocardiography revealed pericardial effusion and a tumour located in the atrioventricular groove. Surgical exploration showed tumorous infiltration of the ventricle wall and of parts of the atrium. Curative excision was not possible and the operation was discontinued. Histology revealed an amelanotic malignant melanoma. No other tumour location was detected by scanning procedures. This case represents a very rare manifestation of melanoma exclusively located in the atrioventricular groove of the heart leading to recurrent pulmonary embolism. A review of the literature on cardiac involvement of melanoma is provided.