title: Primary esophageal melanoma: report of a case.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is a rare tumor representing only 0.1-0.2% of esophageal malignancies. The goal of the study was to report on the management of a new case diagnosed and treated in our site.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 67-year-old patient presented with dysphagia to solids with no other remarkable history or associated skin lesions. He underwent gastroscopy, which revealed a polypoid mass suggestive of neoplasm in the distal third of the esophagus. Biopsy indicated melanoma with positive immunohistochemical markers S100 and HMB45, and negative cytokeratins and CEA. Computerized tomography (CT) and positron-emission tomography (PET) scans showed no local infiltration or distant metastases. An Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy procedure was performed with regional lymphadenectomy. Postoperative stay lasted for three weeks, and no remarkable postsurgical complications arose. The pathological study of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of primary esophageal melanoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus has an unfortunate prognosis as it is an aggressive tumor usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, with local invasion and metastatic disease. Currently, surgery is the treatment of choice, with the remaining adjuvant therapies obtaining limited results.
authors.affiliation: Cirugia general y digestiva, Hospital General Castellón, España.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Granel Villach
authors.affiliation: Hospital General Castellón.
authors.forename: María Amparo
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Moya Sanz
authors.affiliation: Hospital Provincial de Castellón, Servicio de cirugia, España.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fortea Sanchis
authors.affiliation: Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General de Castellon, España.
authors.forename: Vicente Javier
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Escrig Sos
authors.affiliation: Hospital Provincial de Castellón.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fortea Sanchís
authors.affiliation: Hospital General de Castellón.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez Lahuerta
authors.affiliation: Hospital General de Castellón.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tornador Gaya
authors.affiliation: Hospital General de Castellón.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Salvador Sanchís
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*