title: [Malignant melanoma of the vagina. Two case reports. Review of the literature].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Report the diagnosis and therapeutic approach in two cases of primary malignant melanoma of the vagina.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Malignant melanoma is rarely localized in the vagina, resulting from the malignant transformation of an ectopic melanocyte during menopause. The clinical diagnosis is often made in an advanced stage with a variable degree of pigmentation, usually on the anterior aspect of the vagina. Surgical exeresis should be extensive with a 1-cm safety margin. Radiotherapy may be effective as a complementary treatment for limited surgery or as first intention therapy aimed as improving local control before surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Locoregional relapse occurs in 60% of the cases, emphasizing the importance of local treatment. The prognosis is unfavourable with a 23 month mean survival. Total survival at 5 years is only 17%.
authors.affiliation: Département d'Oncologie, CRLCC Eugène-Marquis, Rennes.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levêque
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meunier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poulain
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burtin
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lesimple
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kérisit
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Giraud
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: Mélanome malin du vagin. A propos de deux observations. Revue de la littérature.