Malignant melanoma metastatic to the gallbladder. Case report and review of the literature.
A case of melanoma metastatic to the gallbladder is presented with review of the literature. Currently, there are 20 cases reported that have presented with acute and/or chronic cholecystitis. Ultrasonographic findings of an echogenic mass within the gallbladder without the accompanying acoustic shadowing can be diagnostic in a patient with a history of melanoma. The presence of tumor cells within the bile recovered from the common bile duct suggests the possibility of drop metastasis as a mechanism of spread to the common bile duct and the small intestine. The difficulties in distinguishing primary from secondary melanoma of the gallbladder are discussed.
Department of Surgery, St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, Illinois.
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D000328:Adult; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms