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Primary Esophageal Melanoma with Aberrant CD56 Expression: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall
Hani Katerji1, John M Childs2, Laura E Bratton3
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
Case Reports in Pathology
|December 13, 2017
Summary
Primary esophageal malignant melanoma is a rare and aggressive cancer. This case highlights aberrant CD56 expression, complicating diagnosis for pathologists.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Primary esophageal malignant melanoma (MM) is exceptionally rare and highly aggressive.
- Accurate diagnosis is challenging due to potential divergent differentiation and expression of non-melanocytic markers.
- Misdiagnosis can lead to delayed treatment for this aggressive malignancy.
Observation:
- This report details a rare case of primary esophageal malignant melanoma.
- The tumor exhibited aberrant CD56 expression.
- Notably, synaptophysin and chromogranin, typically associated with neuroendocrine markers, were absent.
Findings:
- Esophageal malignant melanoma can aberrantly express CD56.
- The absence of synaptophysin and chromogranin in the presence of CD56 can be misleading.
- Immunohistochemical marker expression in esophageal MM can be complex and atypical.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of atypical marker expression is crucial for accurate MM diagnosis.
- Pathologists must consider MM in the differential diagnosis of poorly differentiated esophageal neoplasms.
- Correctly identifying esophageal MM ensures timely and appropriate patient treatment.
