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Published on: January 25, 2015
Long-term Survival with a Rare Advanced Primary Gastrointestinal Malignant Melanoma Treated with Laparoscopic
Motochika Endo1, Shuya Yano1,2, Hiroaki Asano3
1Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Abstract:
Targeted therapies for malignant melanoma have improved patients' prognoses. A primary gastrointestinal malignant melanoma is very rare, with no standard treatment strategy. We treated a 78-year-old Japanese female with advanced primary gastrointestinal melanoma of the descending colon and gallbladder. We administered a multidisciplinary treatment: surgical resection of the descending colon and gallbladder tumors, resection of the metastatic lymph nodes behind the pancreas head, and immune checkpoint antibody-blockade therapy (nivolumab) for ~4 years. PET/CT demonstrated no recurrent lesion for > 3 years. Multidisciplinary therapies (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, target therapy, and immune checkpoint antibody-blockade therapy) can successfully treat primary gastrointestinal malignant melanoma.
Insights
Multidisciplinary treatment, including surgery and immune checkpoint blockade, successfully managed a rare case of advanced primary gastrointestinal malignant melanoma. This approach offers hope for patients with this challenging diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Gastrointestinal Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Primary gastrointestinal malignant melanoma is exceptionally rare, lacking established treatment protocols.
- Advanced cases present significant therapeutic challenges.
Observation:
- A 78-year-old female presented with advanced primary malignant melanoma of the descending colon and gallbladder.
- The patient had metastatic lymph nodes behind the pancreas head.
Findings:
- A multidisciplinary treatment strategy was employed, including surgical resection of primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes.
- The patient received approximately 4 years of immune checkpoint antibody-blockade therapy with nivolumab.
- Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) confirmed no recurrent lesions for over 3 years post-treatment.
Implications:
- Multidisciplinary therapies, integrating surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, demonstrate efficacy in treating primary gastrointestinal malignant melanoma.
- This case highlights a potentially successful treatment paradigm for rare gastrointestinal cancers.
