Primary Left Thigh Melanoma Presenting as an Obstructive Hemorrhagic Melanoma of the Small Bowel

Division

South Atlantic

Hospital

Grand Strand Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

7-25-2023

Keywords

basal cell carcinoma, bowel, cutaneous melanoma, melanoma, melanoma skin cancer, primary melanoma, small bowel melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma

Disciplines

Digestive System Diseases | Internal Medicine | Neoplasms

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma of the small intestine is rare and infrequent. However, the small bowel is a relatively common metastatic destination for cutaneous melanoma. Given the fact that primary small intestinal melanoma is a controversial and rare diagnosis, we present a case in which the initial finding suggested a primary tumor. However, the patient was later diagnosed with a small left thigh melanoma after the diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of the small bowel was established. As a result, we emphasize that all primary small intestinal melanoma must be thoroughly investigated for an alternative primary lesion. Additionally, we question if the diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of the small bowel needs to be re-classified as small bowel melanoma of unknown primary, especially in cases in which the primary lesion is unidentified.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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