title: Delayed malignant melanoma recurrence simulating primary ovarian cancer: case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metastatic involvement of the ovary from malignant melanoma is uncommon and presents a diagnostic challenge. Most cases are associated with disseminated disease and carry a dismal prognosis. Delayed ovarian recurrences from melanoma may mimic primary ovarian cancer and lead to aggressive cytoreductive procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case of malignant melanoma in a premenopausal patient is presented with late abdominal and ovarian metastatic spread, where ascitic fluid cytology led to an accurate preoperative diagnosis and the avoidance of unnecessary surgical procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Secondary ovarian involvement is associated with a poor prognosis and efforts should be made for adequate palliation. Pathologic diagnosis with non-invasive procedures is crucial in order to avoid unnecessary surgery. Surgical interventions may be undertaken only in selected cases of limited metastatic disease, where complete resection is expected.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Clinical Oncology, Theagenion Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. tboutis@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boutis
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valeri
authors.forename: Ippokratis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Korantzis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Valoukas
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Andronikidis
authors.forename: Charalambos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andreadis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors