Primary malignant melanoma of the uterine cervix--case report and review

Malignant melanoma (MM) represents 1% of all cancers and has an incidence of 3-7% in the female genital tract, the majority of cases being reported in the vulva and vagina.

A 75-year-old white female had a history of vaginal bleeding due to a 1.5 cm exophytic and ulcerated cervical lesion. Incisional biopsy was taken and sent for histopathological examination, which revealed MM of the cervix, confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Exclusion of the primitive tumor in other sites was made and after FIGO staging (IB1) the patient underwent a radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Three months later, hepatic and osseous metastases were detected, and the patient underwent chemotherapy and palliative radiotherapy with no success.

Primary MM of the cervix should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical malignancies. Early diagnosis is essential in order to warrant a better prognosis, although there are no cases of cure described.