Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus in a young adult

A 31-year-old white man presented with a 30-day history of dysphagia without weight loss. Esophagogram revealed a lobulated mass at the junction of the middle and lower third of the esophagus. Esophagoscopy showed the presence of a pigmented tumor at that level. Histological examination indicated that the tumor was a primary malignant melanoma. Partial esophagectomy was performed through a right thoracotomy incision, revealing hilar lymph nodes invaded by tumor. One month postoperatively, the patient died from extensive brain metastases.