Eleven Primary Melanomas, Colon Cancer, and Atypical Nevi in the Same Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background. As the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma increases in the Caucasian population, an increasing population of melanoma survivors is at risk of developing multiple primary melanomas (MPM) as well as secondary primary cancers. Objective. To present a case of a patient with atypical nevi, 11 primary melanomas over 33 years, and colon cancer and to review the literature on multiple primary melanomas, atypical nevi, and correlation of nonmelanoma cancers. Conclusion. The literature indicates that patients with MPM are not uncommon, although 11 primary melanomas are rarely described, that patients with MPM may have a better survival than patients with single primary melanoma, that atypical nevi are a risk marker of not only melanoma in general but also MPM, and that melanoma patients have a significantly increased risk of developing nonmelanoma skin and other cancers, which may be even higher for patients with MPM.

Immunomodulatory germline variation associated with the development of multiple primary melanoma (MPM)

“…As we suggest, this may be a convenient clinical complement to the lengthy process of follow-up of patients with single primary melanomas, often undergoing many skin biopsies in order to reduce the likelihood of second melanoma, which is financially and emotionally burdensome. Thus, given the lifetime risk of additional primary melanomas ranging between 1–12% 40 , the availability of novel personalized biomarkers predictive of multiple primary tumors would be of significant clinical importance.…”

Primary synchronic melanomas: dermoscopic aspects

“…1,2 Conforme a literatura, são considerados sincrônicos quando um segundo melanoma é observado no primeiro exame ou até três meses após o primeiro diagnóstico 2 e aproximadamente 1,2 a 12,7% dos pacientes com melanoma desenvolverão um ou mais melanomas primários subsequentes. 3 Tumores subsequentes geralmente são mais finos e de comportamento menos agressivo, 1,2,3 provavelmente devido a maior vigilância sobre esses pacientes. 2,3 A dermatoscopia das lesões pigmentadas acrais apresentam padrão característico de paralelismo, por ser um sítio anatômico peculiar.…”

“…3 Tumores subsequentes geralmente são mais finos e de comportamento menos agressivo, 1,2,3 provavelmente devido a maior vigilância sobre esses pacientes. 2,3 A dermatoscopia das lesões pigmentadas acrais apresentam padrão característico de paralelismo, por ser um sítio anatômico peculiar. Nas lesões benignas os melanócitos encontram-se nos cones interpapilares limitantes.…”

Genetic profiling of a rare condition: co-occurrence of albinism and multiple primary melanoma in a caucasian family

“…A genetic component in the pathogenesis of MPM is suggested by the evidence that patients who have already been diagnosed with one primary melanoma have a substantially increased risk of developing further primary melanomas, ranging from 0.6% to 12.7%. The most important risk factors associated with the development of MPM seem to be the positive family history of melanoma and the presence of atypical nevi [ 2 ].…”