[A Case of Thoracoscopic Subtotal Esophagectomy for Malignant Esophageal Melanoma]

The patient is a 77-year-old woman presented with a 20 mm infiltrative ulcerative lesion in the lower thoracic esophagus, and histopathological examination revealed malignant esophageal melanoma. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT)revealed a 25-mm mass in the lower thoracic esophagus, which was resectable without obvious invasion of the adjacent organs, enlarged lymph nodes, and distant metastatic findings. The patient underwent video assisted esophagectomy and 2 field lymph nodes dissection. Histopathological examination revealed a primary malignant esophageal melanoma, which was diagnosed as pT1b(SM3)N2M0, pStage Ⅱ. At 2 months postoperatively, contrast-enhanced CT scan showed multiple hepatic and pulmonary metastases, and combination immune-chemotherapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab was initiated. However, the patient's general condition deteriorated rapidly, and palliative care was implemented at 4 months postoperatively. Surgery is currently the initial choice for resectable primary malignant esophageal melanoma; however, a multidisciplinary treatment strategy, including preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, should be reconstructed.