title: A Rare Disease of the Digestive Tract: Esophageal Melanosis.
abstract: Esophageal melanosis which is characterized by melanocytic proliferation in the squamous epithelium of the esophagus and melanin accumulatin of esophageal mucosa (EM) is a rare disease of the digestive system. Although esophageal melanosis is considered to be a benign disease, its etiology is not cleared and has been reported to be the precursor lesion of esophageal primary melanomas. In this report, we aimed to note esophageal melanosis in a 55-year-old female case who applied to our clinic with difficulty in swallowing, burning behind the breastbone in the stomach, heartburn, indigestion, and pain in the upper abdomen after endoscopic and pathologic evaluation. Complaints dropped with anti-acid therapy and case was followed by intermittent endoscopic procedures because of precursor melanocytic lesions.
authors: General Surgery Department, Tuzla Hospital, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Sebahattin
authors: S
authors: Destek
authors: General Surgery Department, Edremit Military Hospital, Edremit, Balikesir, Turkey.
authors: Vahit Onur
authors: VO
authors: Gul
authors: Biochemistry Department, Edremit Military Hospital, Edremit, Balikesir, Turkey.
authors: Serkan
authors: S
authors: Ahioglu
authors: General Surgery Department, Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Yesim
authors: Y
authors: Erbil
keywords: Esophageal malignant neoplasms; Esophageal melanosis; Reflux esophagitis