Primary malignant melanoma of the penis: a case report

• DOI: 10.1007/s12032-011-9847-6
• Publication Date: 2011-02-15T21:02:12Z
• Authors: Gamze Gokoz Dogu; Arzu Yaren; Levent Tuncay; Nilay Senturk; Ali Ersin Zumrutbas; Burcu Yapar Taskoylu; Ferda Bir
• Keywords: Male; drug megadose; penile biopsy; 610; lymph node dissection; malignant melanoma of the penis; penis tumor; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; male; drug uptake; middle aged; melanoma; case report; metastasis; Humans; human; Melanoma; Penile Neoplasms; penis amputation; adult; article; interferon; lymph node; Middle Aged; Prognosis; human tissue; clinical feature; computer assisted emission tomography; 3. Good health; fluorodeoxyglucose f 18; priority journal; histopathology; anamnesis; pathology; prognosis; Lymph Nodes

We present the case of a patient with malignant melanoma of the glans penis and urethral meatus, which was found in a 60-year-old man with non-healing ulcerative penile lesion and bilateral clinically palpable inguinal lymphadenopathies at diagnosis. A diagnostic biopsy showed the characteristics of a malignant melanoma. Incisional biopsies from the cutaneous lesions on his glans penis and urethra were performed. Histopathological examination of both specimens showed generally ulceronecrotic surface and numerous atypical melanocytic cells. The diagnosis of giant cell melanoma was made. Two months later, bilateral inguinal lymph nodes dissection was performed. Histopathological examination of both specimens demonstrated malignant melanoma metastasis. Three months after the diagnosis, the patient underwent partial penectomy. High-dose interferon-alpha-2b treatment was started. Early diagnosis is of paramount importance, as the prognosis becomes very poor with an advanced tumor stage.