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A rare cause of melena
Benjamin L Elsbernd1, Daniel R Nussenzveig1,2, Anh D Nguyen3
1University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Clinical Journal of Gastroenterology
|September 4, 2020
Summary
Gastrointestinal melanoma is rare, often metastatic. This case details a primary small bowel melanoma, emphasizing diagnostic workup for rare GI melanoma presentations.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Melanoma commonly metastasizes to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from skin or eye.
- Primary GI melanoma is infrequent, typically found in the rectum or anus.
Observation:
- A 77-year-old male presented with gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Diagnostic workup revealed a primary melanoma in the small intestine.
Findings:
- Confirmed a rare case of primary small bowel melanoma.
- The patient's presentation mimicked metastatic disease.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering primary GI melanoma in unexplained GI bleeding.
- Provides insights into the diagnostic approach for melanoma discovered within the GI tract.
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