Characteristics and prognosis of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus

• DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0b013e3281c4a079
• Publication Date: 2007-07-11T08:30:15Z
• Authors: Baozhong Li; Wendong Lei; Kang Shao; Cuiyan Zhang; Zhaoli Chen; Susheng Shi; Jie He
• Keywords: Medical record

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is an extremely rare but highly aggressive tumor. The preoperative diagnosis complicated for lack specificity. Unfortunately, prognosis primary remains dismal from most literatures. To better understand this special condition, we reviewed medical records patients with in our center, retrospectively. Seven cases were seen at Cancer Hospital (Institute) Chinese Academy Medical Sciences 1975 through 2006. Six had complete clinical data. Of six patients, two females and four males. mean age was 51 years, ranging 41 to 60 years. Similar esophageal carcinoma, dysphagia common symptom. Only one patient, however, pathologically diagnosed as preoperatively. Surgical procedures performed all patients. Among accepted radiotherapy perioperatively. Four biochemotherapy postoperatively. reason death metastasis. metastasis liver, adrenal gland, heart lymph nodes, respectively. survival varied 5 months 17 years median 8 months. Our data show that a disease poor prognosis. Surgery first selected therapy. role chemotherapy treatment still uncertain.