A Disguising Fast-Growing Metachronous Melanoma and COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Metachronous melanomas present a clinical challenge.
• The impact of viral infections on cancer recurrence is an area of ongoing research.

Observation:

• A 52-year-old female developed a second, aggressive nodular melanoma 18 months post-excision of an in situ melanoma.
• This recurrence occurred one month after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Intra-nodal melanocytic proliferations were noted during lymph node assessment.

Findings:

• No known melanoma susceptibility genes were identified.
• The case suggests a potential link between SARS-CoV-2 infection, immunosuppression, and melanoma recurrence.
• Delayed clinical follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted early detection.

Implications:

• This case raises questions about the potential oncogenic effects of SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on the tumor microenvironment.
• It underscores the critical importance of consistent clinical surveillance for melanoma patients, even amidst public health crises.
• Further research is warranted to explore the immunomodulatory effects of COVID-19 on cancer progression.