Primary bronchial malignant melanoma. A case report

A case of primary bronchial malignant melanoma occurred in a 66 years old woman is reported. Because of cough and hemoptysis bronchoscopic examination was performed and and a polypoid mass was found to occlude the right lower bronchus. Histopathologic examination showed the presence of malignant melanoma also confirmed by immuno reactivity with antibodies to S-100 protein and melanoma associated monoclonal antibody HMB45. Clinical history, physical examination and other instrumental investigations failed to find other possible primary sites of the tumour. Primary melanoma of the lung is a very rare condition, but our case seems to satisfy the criteria to be considered in the little group of definite primary melanoma of the lower respiratory tract.