A secondary jejunal malignant melanoma from nasal mucosal melanoma: Case report

Abstract

Melanomas most commonly localized in the skin can arise anywhere in the body, and approximately 5% of all melanomas appear in other sites of mucosal surfaces out of skin. Primary melanoma from nasal mucosa is quite rare. We present this case: a 46-year-old man had complained a pain in the left upper abdomen for 2 months when he was admitted to the Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital. The pain was paroxysmal and enhanced when eating. There was no nausea, vomiting, or anorexia. There had been no change in weight in previous months. This patient had a past history of surgery for nasal mucosal malignant melanoma 2 years ago. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) indicated that a mass originated from small bowel and occupied the left upper abdomen. The patient underwent a laparotomy during which a black lesion measuring about 5 cm × 5 cm × 4 cm was found at the jejunum and resected totally together with partial jejunum. The patient was eventually diagnosed as secondary jejunal malignant melanoma from nasal mucosal melanoma. For patients with a history of melanoma, gastrointestinal metastasis should be considered when patients develop gastrointestinal symptoms. In addition, we recommend positive anti-tumor therapy after surgery.