Challenges in Diagnosis and Management of External Ear Melanoma Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Primary external ear melanomais a rare disease that accounts for only 1% of all cutaneous melanomas and only 14,5% of cutaneous melanomas of the head and neck region [1]. The external ear represents a site with high ultraviolet exposure and predisposed to various cutaneous lesions. The path physiology of these tumors is different from other skin lesions because of their specific anatomical site close to cartilage, lymphatic drainage and functional characteristics. Malignant melanoma of the ear was considered to be very aggressive, with a propensity for spreading to both regional lymph nodes and distant sites. Surgical management of external ear melanoma has always been a challenge between avoiding aggressive amputations, achieving an aesthetic pleasant result and adequate oncologic control. According to our literature review a limited number of publications exist regarding malignant melanoma of the external ear. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman, who was presented at the Department of Dermatology because of an ulcerated lesion in the helix part of the left ear. Clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma of the external ear, nodular type, ulcerated.