[An autopsy case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus--appraisal of radiation therapy].
A rare case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is reported. Our case is of interest because an extraordinary effect was observed early during conventional radiation therapy. The primary lesion was irradiated with 60 Gy, it almost disappeared. Metastatic lesions were irradiated with 30 Gy, their volume decreased by more than 50%. At autopsy, these lesions were more or less unchanged. Histologically, cells from the main tumor were small and round. The growth of pleomorphic cells with large amounts of melanin granules was observed in the regions of irradiation. These findings suggest that the small round cells in malignant melanoma are radiosensitive and the pleomorphic cells with abundant melanin granules are radioresistant.
D000368:Aged; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes