Small bowel obstruction caused by intussusception secondary to metastatic melanoma

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Oncology

Background:

• Small bowel intussusception is uncommon in adults.
• Tumor lesions, particularly melanoma metastases, are a frequent cause of adult intussusception.
• Cutaneous melanoma commonly metastasizes to the gastrointestinal tract, including the small bowel.

Observation:

• A 58-year-old woman with a history of completely excised cutaneous melanoma presented with colic abdominal pain.
• The patient experienced symptoms of small bowel obstruction.
• Intussusception was identified as the cause of the obstruction.

Findings:

• The intussusception was caused by melanoma metastasis to the small bowel.
• This case illustrates a rare presentation of melanoma metastasis.
• Metastatic melanoma is a significant cause of small bowel intussusception in adults.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering metastatic melanoma in adult intussusception cases.
• Underscores the need for thorough patient history, especially in those with prior melanoma.
• Emphasizes the diagnostic challenge and clinical significance of gastrointestinal metastases from cutaneous melanoma.