[Metastatic melanoma to the oropharynx].
BACKGROUND
Metastatic mucosal melanoma to the oropharyngeal area is extremely rare. Only 0.6% to 3% of patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma will have metastases to the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract.


METHODS
A 60-year-old woman presented with a past history of dorsal melanoma and metastatic inguinal node was referred to our department for odynophagia. Physical examination revealed a mass of the right tonsil. A cervico-facial computed tomography, a magnetic resonance imagery and PET-scanner were performed and showed the tumefaction located at the right tonsil. Biopsy was performed under general anesthesia. The histological examination revealed a metastatic melanoma. After discussion a palliative treatment with chemotherapy was begun. The patient died of disseminated disease 2 months after the beginning of the chemotherapy, only 4 months after the initial diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The case presentation indicates that careful examination of the head and neck should be part of the routine follow-up examination in all melanoma patients. The discovery of mucosal metastasis in head and neck indicated widespread dissemination and a poor prognosis.
CHRU de Tours, Service d'ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, 2 boulevard Tonnellé, 37000 Tours, France.
S
S
Kim
S
S
Morinière
P
P
Beutter
M
M
Samimi
C
C
Rousselot
D
D
Bakhos
D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*