title: Flexible argon plasma coagulation treatment of obstructive tracheal metastatic melanoma.
abstract: Metastases to the tracheobronchial tree may be considered rare, and melanoma metastases to the trachea are very uncommon. We here report the case of a 61-year-old woman with metastatic melanoma to the trachea occurring 2 years after the excision of a right shoulder skin nodule. The patient underwent argon plasma coagulation (APC) recanalization of the malignant airway under flexible bronchoscopy, which led to the stable resolution of the respiratory symptoms. We also discuss the possible palliative therapeutic options for such metastases, including the APC technique.
authors.affiliation: IV Clinica Otorinolaringoiatrica - Università degli Studi di Milano, Polo Universitario, Ospedale L. Sacco, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Capaccio
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peri
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fociani
authors.forename: Angelita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ottaviani
mesh_terms: D001128:Argon; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D001128:Argon