Acute hepatic failure secondary to extensive hepatic replacement by metastatic amelanotic melanoma: an autopsy case...

Metastatic malignant melanoma (MM) of the liver evolving into acute hepatic failure is a rare occurrence. We describe the case of an 82-year-old man with a history of MM on the left thumb treated with amputation and chemotherapy 40 months previously. On admission, he had abdominal pain, weight loss, lethargy and jaundice. Radiologic investigations such as enhanced computed tomography and abdominal ultrasound failed to establish an etiologic diagnosis. A liver biopsy revealed amelanotic melanoma cells diffusely infiltrating the hepatic parenchyma. His liver injury progressed and the patient died of hepatic failure on the 13th hospital day. Autopsy revealed >70% infiltration by metastatic amelanotic melanoma in the liver.