Primary melanoma of the lung: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of eight cases

Primary endobronchial melanoma: a case report and clinical management indications

BACKGROUND

While cutaneous melanomas are well-documented, primary melanoma of the lung (PMML), particularly with endobronchial origin, remains rare and poorly characterized. This case report addresses gaps in understanding by presenting a comprehensive case of a 71-year-old male with primary endobronchial melanoma and conducting a systematic review of PMML cases.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient, a former smoker, presented with dyspnea, cough, and hemoptysis. Imaging revealed left lung atelectasis and a suspicious nodule. Bronchoscopy identified an endobronchial mass, subsequently treated with argon plasma coagulation and resection. Biopsy confirmed melanoma. Extensive examinations ruled out a primary skin lesion. Despite initial treatment, recurrence led to pneumonectomy. Histopathology confirmed melanoma. The patient received treatment with pembrolizumab and ipilimumab, but with poor clinical benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary endobronchial melanoma is a rare entity, comprising 0.01% of lung tumors. This case underscores diagnostic challenges and emphasizes histological criteria to distinguish primary from metastatic lesions. The pathogenesis remains unclear, with theories proposing foetal melanocyte migration or squamous metaplasia. Prognosis varies, necessitating radical surgical extirpation. A systematic review revealed diverse outcomes, supporting the need for further research. In conclusion, endobronchial melanoma involves an endoscopic and surgical management, but evolving therapies, such as immunotherapy, may reshape treatment paradigms. This case contributes to our understanding of PMML, guiding future research and clinical management. As therapeutic options evolve, continued research is crucial to refine our understanding and improve outcomes for this rare malignancy.

Endobronchial pigmented mass in a patient with primary malignant melanoma of the lung: A case report

Malignant melanoma (MM) commonly presents as a primary skin tumor and respiratory MM cases are almost all metastatic. Primary lung MM (PMML) is quite rare, especially when manifested as an endobronchial pigmented mass, its diagnosis is relatively difficult and MM has a poor prognosis. Only a few cases have been described previously and the pathologic features, clinical behavior and therapeutic options are not well established. The present study reports the case of a 72-year-old female patient with PMML who denied any history of tumors. The patient complained of chest pain and coughing for 2 weeks. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the right upper lobe and an enlarged mediastinal lymph node. Positron emission tomogram-CT suggested a hypermetabolic tumor. To confirm the diagnosis, the patient underwent a transbronchial forceps biopsy and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, which confirmed the diagnosis of PMML. Genetic testing identified a BRAF V600E mutation, so the patient received treatment with dabrafenib plus trametinib. PMML is extremely rare and is easily misdiagnosed as lung cancer due to its nonspecific clinical manifestations and imaging features. The diagnosis of PMML remains challenging due to its morphologic and immunophenotypic variability. Targeted therapy is a good option for advanced PMML patients with BRAF V600E mutations.

The role of tumor-associated macrophages and soluble mediators in pulmonary metastatic melanoma

Skin malignant melanoma is a highly aggressive skin tumor, which is also a major cause of skin cancer-related mortality. It can spread from a relatively small primary tumor and metastasize to multiple locations, including lymph nodes, lungs, liver, bone, and brain. What’s more metastatic melanoma is the main cause of its high mortality. Among all organs, the lung is one of the most common distant metastatic sites of melanoma, and the mortality rate of melanoma lung metastasis is also very high. Elucidating the mechanisms involved in the pulmonary metastasis of cutaneous melanoma will not only help to provide possible explanations for its etiology and progression but may also help to provide potential new therapeutic targets for its treatment. Increasing evidence suggests that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important regulatory role in the migration and metastasis of various malignant tumors. Tumor-targeted therapy, targeting tumor-associated macrophages is thus attracting attention, particularly for advanced tumors and metastatic tumors. However, the relevant role of tumor-associated macrophages in cutaneous melanoma lung metastasis is still unclear. This review will present an overview of the origin, classification, polarization, recruitment, regulation and targeting treatment of tumor-associated macrophages, as well as the soluble mediators involved in these processes and a summary of their possible role in lung metastasis from cutaneous malignant melanoma. This review particularly aims to provide insight into mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets to readers, interested in pulmonary metastasis melanoma.

Rapidly progressing metastatic malignant melanoma mimicking primary pleural tumor: A case report

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer that originates from melanocytes. Primary or metastatic pleural melanoma shares clinical and imaging characteristics with primary pleural tumors, such as pleural mesothelioma. Identification of the primary site can be challenging to distinguish between primary and secondary melanomas. We report a case of a 46-year-old woman with metastatic, rapidly progressing pleural melanoma mimicking primary pleural tumor. The metastatic pleural tumor from a primary cutaneous melanoma was diagnosed by reevaluating a previous surgical specimen. When evaluating patients with pleural melanoma, the primary site should be reevaluated to distinguish between primary and secondary melanomas.

Amelanotic Malignant Melanoma with a BRAF V600E Mutation Mimicking Primary Lung Cancer

Amelanotic melanoma is a rare type of melanoma that shows little or no melanin pigmentation. When tumor lesions are not detected in cutaneous sites, the presence of melanin is the hallmark sign of malignant melanoma. We herein report a case of amelanotic melanoma with a BRAF V600E mutation mimicking primary lung cancer that was finally diagnosed on an autopsy. The current case suggests important caveats for the differential diagnosis of patients with BRAF V600E mutation-positive poorly differentiated lung tumors. In terms of the pathological diagnosis, routine immunohistochemical staining may be useful, especially in patients with a poorly differentiated lung tumor without TTF-1 expression.

Beyond the skin - A rare case of primary pulmonary melanoma and endobronchial aspergilloma

Melanoma is an aggressive skin tumor, but it may be present in other locations. Primary lung melanoma and endobronchial aspergilloma are rare entities. The authors report a case of a 72-year-old, asthmatic woman, with worsening of her respiratory complaints. Imaging revealed finger in glove sign at the left hemithorax. Bronchoscopy revealed an elongated mass with evidence of Aspergillus. Despite endoscopic mass removal, the patient maintained the nodular imaging at the left hemithorax. She underwent thoracic surgery, and the histological evaluation identified malignant melanoma. After undergoing a thorough evaluation, we excluded other melanocytic lesions, and assumed the diagnosis of primary malignant lung melanoma. This case demonstrates a rare association between endobronchial aspergilloma and primary lung melanoma, raising awareness of considering the co-existence of lung tumor in the presence of endobronchial aspergilloma, and showing endobronchial aspergilloma mimicking malignant lesions.

Pulmonary metastatic melanoma: current state of diagnostic imaging and treatments

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer with an estimated incidence of over 160,000 cases annually and about 41,000 melanoma-related deaths per year worldwide. Malignant melanoma (MM) primarily occurs in the skin but has been described in other organs. Although the respiratory system is generally afflicted by tumors such as lung cancer, it is also rarely affected by primary MM. The estimated incidence of pulmonary MM of the lung accounts for 0.01% of all primary lung tumors. The current understanding of pulmonary MM of the lung pathophysiology and its management are not well established. We aim to survey current clinical modalities with a focus on diagnostic imaging and therapeutic intervention to guide providers in the management of patients with a high index of suspicion.

Primary pulmonary malignant melanoma diagnosed with percutaneous biopsy tissue: A case report

BACKGROUND

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung (PMML) is a rare and highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Here, we report a PMML case diagnosed by computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous biopsy, describe its pathological features and review relevant literature to improve our understanding of this tumor.

CASE SUMMARY

A 64-year-old Chinese female presented with productive cough for 7 mo. A chest CT scan showed a large and space-occupying lesion in Lingual lobe. Positron emission tomography-CT revealed multiple nodules located in the superior lobe apicoposterior segment of her left lung. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed numerous enhancing nodules, suggesting brain metastasis. Abdominal CT scan did not show any abnormalities. By CT-guided percutaneous biopsy, four pieces of gray and taupe tissues (1 cm length and 0.1 mm in diameter) were obtained. After pathologic examination, the tumor was found to consist of epidermal and nested small round cells, fibrosis and thin-walled blood vessels. The finding was suggestive of malignant melanoma. To confirm the diagnosis, pathological morphology and immunophenotypic features of the biopsy specimens were observed. The patient denied any history of skin tumors. No abnormal lesions were detected in other sites of the body. Molecular testing was positive for wild-type EGFR and KIT gene mutations. Finally, the clinical and pathological findings suggested PMML.

CONCLUSION

PMML is very rare, and the percutaneous biopsy tissue is limited. Therefore, comprehensive consideration of histology, immunohistochemistry, imaging, and clinical information is important for the diagnosis of PMML.

Lung-only melanoma: UV mutational signature supports origin from occult cutaneous primaries and argues against the concept of primary pulmonary melanoma

Primary pulmonary melanoma (PPM) is an entity recognized by the thoracic WHO classification. However, given the absence of native melanocytes in the lung and the known phenomenon of regression of cutaneous melanomas, the existence of PPM has remained controversial. Herein we investigate clinicopathologic and genomic features of lung-only melanomas with the goal to clarify their site of origin. We identified 10 melanomas involving exclusively lung with no current or previous cutaneous, uveal, or mucosal primaries. Four patients had solitary lesions with mean size of 5.1 cm (range 3.0-10.1 cm), meeting the criteria of PPM. Four patients had 2-3 lesions and 2 patients had >10 lesions. All cases underwent targeted next-generation sequencing interrogating up to 468 cancer genes, which revealed mean tumor mutation burden of 42.6 per megabase (range 1.8 to 126) and frequent mutations involving BRAF, NRAS, NF1, KIT, and KRAS - a genomic profile typical of UV-associated cutaneous melanoma. Mutational signature was assessable for eight cases harboring >20 mutations. This revealed that all evaluable cases harbored a dominant UV signature. In addition, one nonevaluable case harbored a GG > AA TERT promoter variant that is highly specific for UV-mutagenesis. As control groups, using the same methodology, a dominant UV signature was identified in 97% (470/486) of cutaneous melanomas, whereas no lung adenocarcinoma (n = 291) exhibited this signature. Notably, the clinical and pathologic features of solitary melanomas, especially those with large size and epithelioid morphology, closely mimicked primary lung carcinomas, highlighting a major potential for misdiagnosis. In conclusion, presence of a UV signature provides direct evidence that nearly all lung-only melanomas in this series, including solitary lesions meeting the strict criteria of PPM, represent metastases from occult cutaneous melanomas. This suggests that lung-only melanomas should be considered as likely metastatic even in the absence of a known primary melanoma elsewhere.

Primary Melanoma of the Lung: A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: The respiratory apparatus, generally affected by highly aggressive tumors like lung cancer and mesothelioma, is rarely affected by primary malignant melanoma. The aim of this review was to identify cases of primary malignant melanoma of the lung (PMML) published in the modern scientific literature, and to describe their main clinical, pathological and therapeutic features. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of publications in the electronic database PubMed has been performed using keywords, and the references of the selected articles were checked to identify additional missing studies. Results: Globally 52 papers reporting on 76 cases were identified. Among them there were 47 reports of a single case, three papers reporting on two cases each, and two larger case series published in 1997 and 2005 including eight and 15 cases, respectively. Conclusions: PMML was generally diagnosed in middle-aged males, without any apparent correlation with cigarette smoking. It was more frequently found in the lower lobes and the left lung. The tumors were generally pigmented, composed by epithelial and/or spindle cells with large nuclei and prominent nucleoli, nuclear atypia, and numerous mitotic figures; they commonly showed immunostaining for S-100, HMB 45 and Melan-A. Early detection and surgical resection were the main determinants of survival from this rare malignancy.

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung: a case report and literature review

Background

Malignant melanoma (MM) generally presents as a primary neoplasm of the skin, and most MM cases of the respiratory system are metastatic. Primary MM of the lung (PMML) is quite rare, and its diagnosis is relatively difficult.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 57-year-old male patient with PMML who denied any history of tumours. His initial complaint was frequent coughs with bloody sputum for 4 days. Chest radiography demonstrated a high-density shadow in the lower lobe of the right lung, which was suspected to be a large space-occupying lesion on subsequent computed tomography (CT) and to be a hypermetabolic tumour by positron emission tomography–CT. To confirm the diagnosis, exploratory surgery was performed. Finally, we confirmed the diagnosis of PMML.

Conclusions

PMML is extremely rare and easily misdiagnosed as lung cancer. Because of its morphological and immunophenotypic variations, the diagnosis of PMML remains difficult. This case report discusses the diagnosis and case management of a patient while referring to the existing literature.

Concurrence of primary pulmonary malignant melanoma with invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma: a case report

Background

Primary pulmonary malignant melanoma (PPMM) is an extreme rarity in clinic practice, accounting for only 0.01% of all primary pulmonary tumors. And its diagnosis should meet clinical and pathological diagnosis criteria in addition to excluding the possibility of metastatic melanoma. The mainstay of treatment is surgery. The concurrence of primary pulmonary malignant melanoma and invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma has not been reported before.

Case presentation

Herein we report the case of a 39-year-old woman who was asymptomatic and accidently found to have the concurrence of PPMM with invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Before considering the diagnosis of primary pulmonary malignant melanoma, a systemic positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) was done to excluding primary tumor metastasis from other sites. The pathological biopsy proved that two lesions in the right middle lobe were invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas and the mass in the right lower lobe was malignant melanoma. She underwent right middle and lower lobectomy of the lung with mediastinal and hilar lymph dissection. She refused adjuvant chemotherapy, genetic molecular testing or immunotherapy. Fifteen months later she had brain metastasis. Then she received brain radiotherapy and underwent follow-up at the outpatient clinic regularly.

Conclusions

We experienced a case of concurrent PPMM and invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The patient reported here is the first case of primary pulmonary malignant melanoma combined with invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma. This patient remained disease-free 15 months after lung surgery.

An NRAS mutation in primary malignant melanoma of the lung: a case report

Background

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung (PML) is extremely rare. No precursor lesions of PML have been identified, and little is known about the genetic mutations associated with the disease. Typically, 15–20% of malignant melanomas possess NRAS gene mutations, but no cases of NRAS-mutated PML have been reported in the English literature. We present a case of PML involving an NRAS mutation.

Case presentation

Clinical summary

A 74-year-old Japanese female presented with worsening dyspnea and was admitted to hospital. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a right lung (S10) mass and pleural dissemination. Cytology of the pleural effusion in the right lung was performed, and malignant melanoma or clear cell sarcoma was suspected. A dermatological examination and gallium scintigraphy were conducted to determine the primary tumor site, but no suspicious lesions, expect for the right lung mass, were found. After admission, CT showed complicating bilateral pneumonia, and an antibiotic drug was administered, but the pleural effusion got worse. About 2 weeks later, the patient died of respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. An autopsy was performed to determine the histological diagnosis.

Autopsy findings

A 26x15x20-mm black and pale yellow mass was found in the right lower lobe. Many disseminated nodules were found in the right lobe. The tumor had invaded the right diaphragm. Subcarinal lymph node metastasis was also detected. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells exhibited positivity for S-100 and HMB45 staining. The patient was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Sanger sequencing of the tumor detected an NRAS mutation.

Conclusions

We found an NRAS D54N mutation in PML, which has not been reported previously anywhere in the world. Previous reports indicated that most cases of PML can be classified into the triple-wild-type, but BRAF mutation status was only analyzed in a few cases. We should analyze the mutation patterns of PML to determine whether any subtypes other than the triple-wild-type exist. PML might be a form of de novo cancer.

Significance of 5-S-Cysteinyldopa as a Marker for Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the most lethal and malignant cancers and its incidence is increasing worldwide, and Japan is not an exception. Although there are numerous therapeutic options for melanoma, the prognosis is still poor once it has metastasized. The main concern after removal of a primary melanoma is whether it has metastasized, and early detection of metastatic melanoma would be effective in improving the prognosis of patients. Thus, it is very important to identify reliable methods to detect metastases as early as possible. Although many prognostic biomarkers (mainly for metastases) of melanoma have been reported, there are very few effective for an early diagnosis. Serum and urinary biomarkers for melanoma diagnosis have especially received great interest because of the relative ease of sample collection and handling. Several serum and urinary biomarkers appear to have significant potential both as prognostic indicators and as targets for future therapeutic methods, but still there are no efficient serum and urinary biomarkers for early detection, accurate diagnosis and prognosis, efficient monitoring of the disease and reliable prediction of survival and recurrence. Levels of 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5SCD) in the serum or urine as biomarkers of melanoma have been found to be significantly elevated earlier and to reflect melanoma progression better than physical examinations, laboratory tests and imaging techniques, such as scintigraphy and echography. With recent developments in the treatment of melanoma, studies reporting combinations of 5SCD levels and new applications for the treatment of melanoma are gradually increasing. This review summarizes the usefulness of 5SCD, the most widely used and well-known melanoma marker in the serum and urine, compares 5SCD and other useful markers, and finally its application to other fields.

Primary Pleural Melanoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Primary pleural melanoma is an extremely rare neoplasm, and to the best of our knowledge, there have been only 8 case reports of this condition in the English literature. We herein report a rare case in which the cytological and immunocytochemical analyses of pleural fluid and ultrasonography (US)-guided biopsy of a pleural lesion were useful for the diagnosis primary pleural melanoma. This case highlights the importance of careful physical examinations, cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical analyses of pleural fluid, as well as the utility of US-guided biopsy of the pleural lesions in the diagnosis of primary pleural melanoma.

Pulmonary melanocytic nevus - A case report with a mutation analysis of common driver oncogenes

Nevi are benign melanocytic tumors, and some nevi are considered to develop into malignant melanomas. Most nevi arise in the skin, but nevi occasionally occur in the conjunctiva, esophageal mucosa, or at other sites. Pulmonary melanocytic nevi are extremely rare, and only one case has been reported in the literature. Here, we present a case of pulmonary melanocytic nevus, involving a BRAF gene mutation (V600E), and we discuss the potential significance of this condition as a precursor to pulmonary malignant melanoma.

Endobronchial, laryngeal and mediastinal melanoma: a rare constellation of metastatic disease

A 45-year-old man presents with acute respiratory failure. Imaging revealed a left mainstem endobronchial mass with subcarinal lymphadenopathy, but no other evidence of a primary tumour. An incidental laryngeal nodule was found during bronchoscopy. Biopsies of this lesion by nasopharyngoscopy and subcarinal lymph nodes via mediastinoscopy were performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination showed evidence of melanoma in both samples. Mutational analysis identified the presence of a BRAFV600E mutation. The patient underwent bronchoscopic ablation of the left mainstem endobronchial tumour with laser therapy followed by initiation of encorafenib and binimetinib combination therapy. The patient remains alive at 4 months after initial presentation of disease. This case adds to the body of literature highlighting the clinical heterogeneity and challenges of the management of metastatic pulmonary melanoma. To the best of our knowledge, this simultaneous constellation of metastasis has not been described before.

Expression of HMB45, MelanA and SOX10 is rare in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma are frequent entities in routine diagnostics. Whereas the differential diagnosis is usually straight forward based on histomorphology, it can be challenging in poorly differentiated tumors as melanoma may mimic various histological patterns. Distinction of the two entities is of outmost importance as both are treated differently. HMB45 and MelanA are recommended immunohistological markers for melanoma in this scenario. SOX10 has been described as an additional marker for melanoma. However, comprehensive large-scale data about the expression of melanoma markers in NSCLC tumor tissue specimen are lacking so far.

METHODS

Therefore, we analyzed the expression of these markers in 1085 NSCLC tumor tissue samples. Tissue microarrays of NSCLC cases were immunohistochemically stained for HMB45, MelanA, and SOX10. Positivity of a marker was defined as ≥1% positive tumor cells.

RESULTS

In 1027 NSCLC tumor tissue samples all melanoma as well as conventional immunohistochemical markers for NSCLC could be evaluated. HMB45, MelanA, and SOX10 were positive in 1 (< 1%), 0 (0%) and 5 (< 1%) cases. The HMB45 positive case showed co-expression of SOX10 and was classified as large cell carcinoma. Three out of five SOX10 positive cases were SqCC and one case was an adenosquamous carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of HMB45, MelanA and SOX10 is evident but exceedingly rare in NSCLC cases. Together with conventional immunomarkers a respective marker panel allows a clear-cut differential diagnosis even in poorly differentiated tumors.

Primary pulmonary malignant melanoma: Case report and literature review

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung is an extremely rare pulmonary carcinoma. Only 45 cases have been reported in the literature. Herein, we report a case of a 46‐year‐old male patient with an O Rh negative blood type who presented with pulmonary bronchial symptoms and underwent lobectomy. Genetic testing was also performed but no targetable mutations were found, and the patient's PD‐L1 RNA level was low. He developed brain metastasis four months after surgery and received radiotherapy but died 21 months after diagnosis. We review the published cases of this rare pulmonary lesion.

Metastatic primary pulmonary melanoma successfully treated with checkpoint inhibitors

Our patient is a 69-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with left-sided hemiparesis that started 4 hours prior to presentation. Brain CT showed right basal ganglia and internal capsule haemorrhagic strokes. MRI revealed multiple brain lesions suspicious for metastases. Further workup revealed a 5 cm lung mass and a 1 cm pancreatic nodule. Biopsy of both pulmonary and pancreatic lesions was consistent with melanoma and was similar histologically. The patient underwent cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery to the brain metastases followed by immunotherapy with pembrolizumab, and then by nivolumab and ipilimumab. The patient remains free of disease progression 2 years after treatment.

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung: a case report of a rare tumor and review of the literature

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung (PMML) is a rare malignancy that exhibits aggressive behavior and has a very poor prognosis. We are reporting on a case of PMML in an otherwise healthy 22-year-old Caucasian male with no significant past medical history and an unremarkable family history. The patient initially presented with a 2-month history of a cough and an unexplained 22-lb weight loss. His initial chest X-ray demonstrated opacification of the right lower lobe (RLL) of his lung and a subsequent computerized tomography scan (CT scan) of his lung revealed a large mass occupying most of his RLL (Figure 1). The patient subsequently underwent a bronchoscopy with endobronchial ultrasound. Biopsies revealed a poorly differentiated carcinoma. A positron emission tomography with low dose CT scan was performed per protocol and revealed an intensely hypermetabolic tumor with no evidence for lymphatic disease or extra-thoracic spread. The patient underwent a surgical exploration and a right lower lobectomy with a thoracic lymphadenectomy. The pathology including immunohistochemical stains demonstrated a malignant melanoma with no lymph node involvement. A physical examination including ophthalmic, mucosal, and skin examinations revealed no evidence for an extra-thoracic site of the disease. The patient had negative margins for resection and did not receive any adjuvant therapy and is alive and well with no evidence for recurrence 3 years after the resection.

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung (PMML) is an extremely rare neoplasm with a dismal prognosis. The diagnosis of PMML is very difficult and is based on several clinical, radiological, and histopathological criteria.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 61-year-old women was admitted with a 2-month history of a productive cough and chest pain provoked by breathing and coughing. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest showed a large, solid tumor in the right middle lobe of the lung. Puncture biopsy of the right lung lesion was performed using B-ultrasound guidance, and immunohistochemical tests were performed.

DIAGNOSES

The diagnosis of PMML was histopathologically confirmed by puncture biopsy with B-ultrasound guidance of the right lung lesion.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient refused to receive surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

OUTCOMES

The patient died 6 months after the diagnosis.

LESSONS

The clinical manifestation and imaging features of PMML are not specific, and it does not differ from the more common primary bronchogenic carcinoma. In addition, it cannot be discriminated from other forms of primary melanoma according to its histology and immunohistochemistry. The treatment of choice is an aggressive surgical approach, combined with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung: A case report

Malignant melanoma involving the respiratory tract is nearly always metastatic from a cutaneous lesion. Primary malignant melanoma of the lung (PMML) is very rare. We herein report the case of a 61-year-old female patient with PMML who presented with a small nodule in the lower lobe of the left lung on chest computed tomography. As an intraoperative diagnosis of malignant melanoma was made, left lower lobectomy with systematic lymph node dissection were performed. Pathologically, there were no lymph node or intrapulmonary metastases. Lesions other than the pulmonary nodule were not detected throughout the comprehensive postoperative examination of all organs. Thus, the patient was followed up regularly as an outpatient. However, 1 year after the operation, multiple organ metastases developed. The patient's condition rapidly deteriorated and she succumbed to the disease 15 months after the operation, despite intensive chemo-immunotherapy.

Pulmonary melanoma and "crazy paving" patterns in chest images: a case report and literature review

Background

In the lung, melanoma is mostly arranged as patterns of multiple nodules, solitary nodules, or miliary invasions. Very rarely, it also displays a “crazy paving” pattern (also described as a “paving stone,” “flagstone,” or “slabstone” pattern), which is rarer still in discrete bilateral nodules. This pattern is considered to be caused by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, but its association with various diseases is unclear.

Case presentation

A 60-year-old man was diagnosed with pulmonary melanoma. Computed tomography revealed discrete bilateral nodules surrounded by a “paving” pattern. A literature review found more than 40 types of diseases that have presented with “paving” patterns in the lung—predominantly pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, viral pneumonia, exogenous lipoid pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, interstitial pneumonia, ARDS, squalene aspiration pneumonia, radiation pneumonitis, drug-induced pneumonitis, pulmonary leptospirosis, pulmonary hemorrhage, and pulmonary nocardiosis.

Conclusions

We describe the first case of pulmonary melanoma in the form of discrete bilateral nodules accompanied with a computed tomography paving pattern. Although pulmonary paving patterns are rare, more than 40 diseases reportedly display them; clinicians should consider melanoma of the lung in differential diagnoses for patients who show such a pattern.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of Pleura: A Case Report and Literature Review

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive and treatment resistant skin cancers. India enjoys a low incidence of melanoma, and age specific incidence rates for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) are being less than 0.5 per 1,000,000. This could be due to under-reporting of melanoma on account of a low index of suspicion by clinicians and pathologists alike. Most common site for origin of primary melanoma is skin, accounting for about 91.2% of all reported primary malignant melanoma cases. Other primary sites are relatively uncommon. Primary pleural melanoma is a very rare tumor and to the best of our knowledge, only seven cases have been reported so far worldwide. We hereby discuss a new case, only second from India. Our patient also had coexistent congenital hairy nevus, an unusual association also noted in two previously reported cases. Excluding primary cutaneous melanoma with pleural metastasis was a diagnostic challenge in this case but multiple cutaneous biopsies together with clinical and findings helped us arrive at this unusual diagnosis. Unfortunately, the patient succumbed to his illness. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:648-652. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Pulmonary malignant melanoma with distant metastasis assessed by positron emission tomography-computed tomography

Melanoma is a cutaneous malignant neoplasm of melanocytes. Primary malignant melanoma (MM) of the lung is very rare. Although previous reports have described the radiologic features of pulmonary MM, its rarity means that many factors are unknown. Thus, radiologic diagnosis is very difficult. Furthermore, there is little information regarding diagnostic application and/or the usefulness of [¹⁸F]‐fluorine‐2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography‐computed tomography (FDG‐PET‐CT) for primary pulmonary MM. A 69‐year‐old patient with a productive cough lasting three weeks was admitted to our hospital. Chest CT showed a large single mass with a multi‐lobulated margin and homogeneous enhancement in the right upper lobe, which was subsequently diagnosed as a primary pulmonary MM with multiple metastases. On PET‐CT images, the pulmonary mass and multiple bone lesions showed very increased uptakes of FDG. Considering that pulmonary metastasis from a mucocutaneous melanoma is the main differential diagnosis of primary pulmonary MM, systemic assessment of the whole body is more important than for other types of lung malignancies. This report introduces PET‐CT as a useful diagnostic modality for pulmonary MM, especially in cases of distant multiple metastases.

Endobronchial metastases from melanoma: a survival analysis

BACKGROUND

Metastatic spread to the tracheobronchial tree from other than bronchopulmonary tumors is a common clinical problem. However, malignant melanoma, a highly metastatic potential tumor, is rarely metastasing in the airways. Therefore little is known about survival of patients with endobronchial metastasis from melanoma.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to assess survival of patients with endobronchial metastasis of melanomas according to clinical and radiological features, to determine any possible factor affecting survival.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 19 patients who underwent a bronchoscopy from 11 different hospitals. Data about patients' demographics, symptoms, radiographic, endoscopic findings and treatment were investigated to evaluate any possible impact on survival.

RESULTS

Endobronchial metastases occurred at a median of 48 months (range 0-120) following the diagnosis of the primary tumor. About 73.7% of patients had other proven metastases when the endobronchial involvement was diagnosed. Symptoms are not specific as well as radiological features. Median overall survival of the studied population was 6 months (range 1-46). Factors of poor survival were multiple metastatic sites (P = 0.019), pleural (P = 0.0014) and soft tissue metastasis (P = 0.024). Different treatment modalities applied in our patients showed no effect on survival.

CONCLUSION

Patients with endobronchial metastasis have overall poor survival, affected by multiple organ involvement, the presence of pleural and soft tissue disease, while no impact on survival has been shown by any treatment applied.

Primary pulmonary melanoma: a report of two cases

Malignant melanoma is a refractory malignancy with a dismal prognosis. It generally arises from the skin in most cases, and cases of primary pulmonary malignant melanoma are rare and often behave aggressively. We have treated two cases of localized primary pulmonary malignant melanoma using surgical resection. Pulmonary malignant melanomas often metastasize to the brain and liver; one of our cases exhibited metastasis to the cecum at about 8 months after surgery. Because cutaneous melanomas often carry activating mutations in the BRAF gene (V600E), we performed a BRAF mutational analysis using direct sequencing for both of these tumors arising from the lung. However, no BRAF mutations were detected. We detected a p53 mutation, which was thought to be a potential somatic mutation, in one of the two cases using a sequencing panel targeting 20 lung cancer-related genes. Although we also checked the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on the surface of the tumor cells by immunohistochemical testing, neither of our two cases expressed PD-L1. Further molecular analyses may uncover the characteristics of primary pulmonary malignant melanomas.

[Amelanotic pulmonary melanoma]

We report a case of amelanotic pulmonary melanoma in a 52-year-old man. Histological diagnosis was established after right lower lobectomy. The primary source was not found. We describe the diagnosis, treatment and surgical follow-up of this type of pulmonary tumour.

Long-term survival after pneumonectomy for primary pulmonary malignant melanoma

As few as 30 cases of primary malignant melanoma of the lung have been reported in the literature. Many patients die within months of diagnosis; few published cases describe patients who survive long-term after treatment. We report a case of primary pulmonary malignant melanoma in a patient who remains disease-free 60 months after pneumonectomy.

Pathway crosstalk analysis of high-metastasis lung cancer cells

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the important role of pathway crosstalk and pathway dysfunction in the high-metastasis process of lung cancer cells, by using the microarray expression profiles of lung cancer cells at different metastasis levels.

METHODS

The gene expression profile GSE10096 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 4 nonmetastasis samples, 3 low-metastasis samples (M1) and 3 high-metastasis samples (M5) of lung cancer cells. After the conversion from probe level to expression values using Jetset, the data were identified by limma package in R language to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The pathways of DEGs were further enriched by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of genes related to the core pathway (pathway in cancer) and its neighbor pathways was constructed. Based on the PPI network, significantly changed pathway crosstalk and pathways were analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with those in the M1 lung cancer cells, the pathways hsa00564 (glycerophospholipid metabolism) and hsa0098 (metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450) of the M5 lung cancer cells showed significant functional changes. The dysfunction of pathway crosstalk mainly occurred between pathways hsa0098 and hsa04916 (melanogenesis pathway) and other pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our analysis indicate the significance of pathway crosstalk dysfunction and pathway dysfunction of M1 and M5 lung cancer cells as shown by bioinformatics methods. The present findings have the potential to lead to the study of the mechanisms of lung cancer in future.

Primary malignant melanoma of left lower lobe of lung: A case report and review of the literature

Primary malignant melanoma (MM) of the lung is relatively rare, and no more than 40 cases have been reported in English literature. Here, we present a case of primary MM of the lung in a 60-year-old healthy asymptomatic male, detected following the observation of an abnormal shadow on a chest X-ray. Following computed tomography and bronchoscopy examinations, the patient underwent pneumonectomy. A diagnosis of melanoma was confirmed postoperatively following immunohistochemistry. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy postoperatively for 6 months, and is living disease-free 18 months after the surgery without any major complaints. In conclusion, primary melanoma of the lung represents a rare pathological entity. The final diagnosis of a primary MM of the lung is based on clinical, radiological and pathological findings. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of the treatment and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy may offer the possibility of long-time survival for certain patients.

Aggressive behaviour of metastatic melanoma in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1

Malignant melanoma is a common skin neoplasm bearing poor prognosis when presenting with metastases. Rarely melanoma metastases present without an identifiable primary cutaneous lesion despite exhaustive workup. We describe the case of a solitary lung metastasis in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 without an identifiable primary tumour. The rapid progression of this malignant neoplasm that led to the patient's death within 1 year is described.

Primary malignant melanoma of the pleura with rapid progression: A case report and literature review

A primary melanocytic lesion arising from the pleura is a rare occurrence. This is the case report of a 36-year-old female patient with a primary pleural melanocytic tumor. The positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan revealed multiple nodular soft tissue thickenings of the left hemipleura and a large amount of pleural effusion in the left hemithorax. The results of the histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of melanoma. The disease progressed 4 months following immunotherapy and chemotherapy and the patient succumbed to the disease 2 months later. This type of tumor appears to exhibit a highly aggressive biological behavior and responds poorly to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, which are characteristics similar to those exhibited by melanomas arising in other regions.

Primary malignant melanoma of the thymus: report of a case

A 61-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of bloody sputum. A chest roentgenogram revealed a clearly demarcated mass located in the anterior mediastinum. Positron emission tomography revealed abnormal accumulation of (18)F-fluorodeoxy glucose only in the anterior mediastinal tumor. A computed tomography-guided needle aspiration biopsy was performed, and the tumor was diagnosed as a malignant melanoma. Although the skin, eyeballs, oral cavity, nasal cavity, etc., were closely evaluated, no other lesion of malignant melanoma was detected except the mediastinal tumor. Hence, this tumor was diagnosed as a primary malignant melanoma. We performed total thymectomy, including the tumor, and combined resection of the adhesive bilateral lungs, pericardium and left brachiocephalic vein. Because the tumor was histologically surrounded by thymus tissue, we diagnosed it as a primary mediastinal malignant melanoma that originated in the thymus. Although the patient's postoperative course was uneventful, he complained of back pain 5 months after the operation. Multiple bone metastases were found, and he received chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and is currently alive with disease 14 months after the primary treatment.

Primary malignant achromic melanoma of the lung

Currently, less than thirty cases of primary malignant melanoma of the lung have been reported in the literature. Thus, strict criteria for diagnosis have been published and include: malignant melanoma associated with bronchial epithelial changes; a solitary lung tumor; no prior history of skin, mucous membrane, intestinal or ocular melanoma; and absence of any other detectable tumor at the time of diagnosis. In this article we present a case of melanoma of the lung without evidence of extra-pulmonary disease.

Primary pulmonary melanoma: the unexpected tumour

A 62-year-old woman was referred to our pulmonology team with exertional dyspnoea and chest tightness of 2 months duration. Her medical history included cervical cancer and thyroid nodules. Imaging studies showed collapse of left upper lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy unveiled an endoluminal lesion and bronchial biopsy displayed features of melanoma. She denied a history of melanoma or excision of lesions of skin, mucous membranes or the eye. A thorough evaluation including combined positron emission tomography with CT scan excluded other possible sites of primary melanoma, but there was a metastasis in a thoracic vertebra. Palliative radiotherapy of the spine was performed. Chemotherapy initiation with dacarbazine was postponed by the appearance of a malignant pleural effusion, confirmed by pleural fluid cytology. After four cycles chemotherapy was discontinued due to disease progression. The patient is still alive with a follow-up of 12 months, currently on best supportive care.

Endobronchial metastases from extrathoracic malignancy

PURPOSE

Endobronchial metastasis is defined as documented extrathoracic malignancies metastatic to the endobronchus within a bronchoscopically visible range. Although the clinical and radiologic findings of endobronchial metastasis are similar to primary lung cancer, treatment and prognosis may be different. We hereby investigated the clinical, radiologic and bronchoscopic aspects of endobronchial metastases (EBM) in Korean patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 43 patients with EBM who underwent bronchoscopic biopsies from June 1991 to December 2009 at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, Korea, were analyzed retrospectively. We evaluated clinical, radiologic and bronchoscopic characteristics of EBM.

RESULTS

The patients consisted of 27 males and 16 females and their ages ranged from 18 to 77 years. The common primary cancers related to EBM were rectal (16.3%), colon (11.6%), breast (9.3%) and uterine (9.3%) cancers. The mean interval from diagnosis of primary cancer to EBM was 36 months, and the mean survival duration from diagnosis of EBM was 16.1 months in 33 deceased patients.

CONCLUSION

EBM develop in various types of malignancies at various times with unremarkable manifestations. Therefore, physicians should consider the possibility of EBM, especially if a patient has a history of any malignancy, regardless of respiratory symptoms. Respiratory symptoms related with EBM can be treated by various safe procedures.

A resected melanoma of the lung metastasized from an occult skin lesion: a case report

An 86-year-old woman with a history of right breast cancer resected seven years ago had a small pulmonary nodule located in left S5. Diagnosis was made by bronchoscopy using the endobronchial ultrasonography-guided sheath (EBUS-GS) method, but a histological diagnosis was not obtained. Wedge resection was performed due to suspicion of a metastatic lesion from breast cancer based on radiological findings. The tumor was subsequently found to be malignant melanoma of the lung. An initial diagnosis of primary melanoma of the lung was made because a melanoma lesion at another site was not seen despite a detailed work up. However, 8 months after surgery, a malignant melanoma appeared at the tip of the right index finger. We rediagnosed the lung lesion as a metastatic malignant melanoma based on the low incidence of primary melanoma of the lung and on the pathological features.

A case of malignant melanoma simultaneously found in the lung and small intestine

Metastatic melanoma in the small bowel is a common cause of secondary intestinal tumors. We present a case of a 77-year-old man with melena resulting from melanoma in the small bowel that was simultaneously found with malignant melanoma in the lung. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and position emission tomography (PET) revealed a 30 × 20 mm hypervascular lesion in the small bowel and a 9 × 9 mm right lobe lung mass with metastasis in the mediastinal and peritoneal lymph nodes, and the spleen. The bowel and lung tumor lesions were confirmed by enteroscopy and bronchoscopy, respectively, and were histologically diagnosed as malignant melanoma. In cases of small bowel malignant melanoma, an extraintestinal origin should always be suspected because intestinal melanomas are almost always metastatic. PET/CT is an effective tool for confirming intestinal melanomas because of its high sensitivity and specificity.