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.