Primary Melanoma of the Ovary in a 25 Year Old Primigravida - A Case Report

Abstract

A 25 year old primigravida with edema of the left foot and fetal distress during 36 weeks gestational period underwent an emergency lower segment cesarian section (LSCS). During surgery ascites and a left ovarian tumor with omental seedlings were observed. Cytopathology of the ascitic fluid, histopathology of the ovarian tumor and the omental seedlings showed features of a malignant melanoma, further confirmed at electron microscopy. Considering the age of the patient and the intra-abdominal restriction of metastasis of the neoplasms this tumor appeared to be a primary melanoma of the ovary. This case is reported since there is no reference to a pure melanoma of the ovary occurring in a young primigravida in the literature.

Amelanotic malignant melanoma arising in an ovarian dermoid cyst

“…The clinical significance of ovarian malignant melanomas pertains in part to their aggressive growth, in part to the fact that they may occur in young and middle-aged women (4, 5 , 6, 7, 8). Some cases have also been associated with pregnancy (4,9,10). Suspicion of OMM should arise in the case of a rapidly growing, ultrasonographically cystic ovarian mass and further increase by the finding at laparotomy of a bluish-black tumor associated with a dermoid cyst.…”

Intra-Abdominal Malignant Melanoma: Challenging Aspects of Epidemiology, Clinical and Paraclinical Diagnosis and Optimal Treatment—A Literature Review

“…The first reference of ovarian melanoma in primigravida has also been reported [ 20 ]. Further research shows [ 21 ] that about one-third of diagnosed melanoma patients are of childbearing age.…”

Metastatic malignant melanoma arising in a mature ovarian cystic teratoma: a case report and literature review

“…A variety of other tumors can occur, including fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, basal cell carcinomas, and melanoma. Primary ovarian malignant melanoma was first reported in 1901 (2) , with 30 cases reported in the world literature to date (2−30) . The median age of the previously reported cases was 49 years (range 20–87 years).…”