title: Effective palliative radiotherapy in primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is a rare but highly aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. However, some cases may be diagnosed with advanced inoperable disease. Palliative radiotherapy may be used to relieve symptoms caused by the esophageal tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report on a case of advanced inoperable primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus treated with palliative radiotherapy. The patient's dysphagia resolved with radiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malignant melanoma of the esophagus is rare. Patients with advanced inoperable malignant melanomas of the esophagus benefit from radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is effective for palliation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. takenono@radiol.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nonoshita
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shioyama
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nomoto
authors.forename: Saiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohga
authors.forename: Kayoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.forename: Kazushige
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Atsumi
authors.forename: Kotaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Terashima
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.forename: Katsumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Honda