[Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus]

We report two cases of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus. Both were female, 83 and 68 years of age. Both had metastatic spread of the disease at the time of first treatment, either in regional lymph nodes or organ involvement. One patient underwent resection of the tumor (partial esophagectomy). The second patient is alive 22 months postoperatively with metastatic tumor (12/1989), the first died one year after diagnosis. Prognosis of primary melanoma of the esophagus is poor. Though, resection of the tumor is the most promising therapy.