Primary Melanoma of the Uterine Cervix: A Case Report, With Key Points on Recognition and Pathological Diagnosis

Primary Melanoma of the Cervix Uteri: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Reported Cases

Primary malignant melanoma (MM) of the cervix uteri is a rare and aggressive malignancy of the female reproductive tract. Considering that clinical data on this cancer are scarce, we aimed to comprehensively examine the currently available literature and provide an overview of the reported cases of cervical MM focusing on the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and therapeutic management. We conducted a systematic review of the literature by screening three electronic databases until June 2022. The critical appraisal checklist provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute was employed to evaluate the overall quality of the studies. We included 96 reports, which comprised 137 patients diagnosed with MM of the cervix. The mean age of the patients was 56.5 (median: 58, age range: 33–88). Data regarding menopausal status were provided for 98 patients with 15 being premenopausal and 83 being postmenopausal. The most common presenting symptom was vaginal bleeding (83%, 100/121). Biopsy (either excisional or punch biopsy) was used as the first diagnostic modality in most of the patients (67%, 64/95), followed by cytology (18%, 17/95). In 74 cases, the FIGO staging system for cervical cancer was used with the most common stage being FIGO stage I (38%, 28/74), followed by FIGO stage II (36%, 27/74), FIGO stage III (19%, 14/74) and FIGO stage IV (7%, 5/74). Most of the patients were managed surgically (90%, 119/131) with a hysterectomy (either radical or total), and a salpingo-oophorectomy with/without lymphadenectomy was the most common approach utilized (40%, 48/119). The data of clinical outcomes were provided for 105 patients, of whom 61 died (58%, 61/105) and 44 survived (42%, 44/105). Knowledge regarding the rare occurrence of MM in the cervix and the increased awareness of clinicians can prevent clinical misdiagnosis and ultimately improve further the clinical outcomes of patients developing this rare malignancy.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Cervix: An Integrated Analysis of Case Reports and Series

Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, is a type of malignant tumour that originates from melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. Primary malignant melanomas of the female genital tract are rare. Similarly, primary malignant melanoma of cervix, which originates from cervical melanocytes, is an extremely rare disease and the second most common type of female melanoma in women aged between 15 to 44 years worldwide. To date, primary malignant melanoma of the cervix is characterized by poor patient prognosis and little consensus exists regarding the best treatment therapy. The situation is worsened by lack of clinical studies with large samples. Notably, surgery remains the preferred treatment option for patients with primary malignant melanomas of the cervix. Current treatments are based on Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics(2018) staging with reference to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. This study is in order to find a more suitable treatment modality for primary malignant melanoma of cervix. Therefore, we first conducted an integrated analysis of case reports and series to assess the impact of various factors on the prognosis of such patients. In summary, this is the first pooled analysis including 149 cases of primary cervical melanoma. We found that patients who underwent radical hysterectomy-based surgery, those with non-metastatic lymph nodes and those who underwent lymphadenectomy had significantly higher survival rates. In patients who had RH-based surgery, survival rates at the 24m time point of those who did not add other treatments was higher than those who did, but for those who had total hysterectomy-based surgery, the addition of other treatments to prolong median survival may be considered. In the overall analysis, age and lymphadenectomy were associated with increased and reduced risk of death in these patients, respectively. Although there is no statistical difference, stage III&IV, TAH, lymphatic metastases increase the risk of death; whereas radical hysterectomy was associated with reduced risk of death. In the subgroup analysis, for patients who have undergone radical hysterectomy-based surgery, lymphadenectomy reduces the risk of death, while lymphatic metastases and complementary other treatments increase the risk of death. For patients who have undergone total hysterectomy-based surgery, complementary treatment reduces the risk of death. In conclusion, via summarizing previous reports, the recommended treatment procedure for PMMC are radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. The addition of other treatment options for patients who undergoing RH-based surgery need further study.

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Cervix: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Background

Gynecologic melanomas are extremely rare malignancies, and primary malignant melanoma of the cervix (PMMC) is the rarest among them all, with less than 100 cases reported so far. Although some conditions have been correlated with the pathogenesis of this entity, no specific risk factor has been yet identified, with vaginal bleeding being the most common symptoms. The diagnosis is based on physical examination with speculum assessment and cytologic and histopathologic findings accompanied with immunohistochemical staining of lesion's biopsies. Case Presentation. We report a case of PMMC in a 34-year-old para-2 patient, among the youngest cases of PMMC reported, that presented to our clinic for routine examination. Gynecologic examination demonstrated a dark, heavily fully pigmented cervical growth completely covering the entire external cervical os. Biopsy obtained and showed malignant melanoma. She underwent radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The pathological diagnosis was FIGO stage IB1 PMMC. Despite 2 courses of anti-PD-1 antibody (Nivolumab) treatment, the patient passed away 13 months after diagnosis (12 months after surgery).

Conclusions

Early diagnosis and subsequently early treatment are of high importance regarding patients' prognosis and survival. No standardized protocols or treatment guidelines specific for this rare cancer have been issued; thus, clinicians are called to assess each case individually. Current treatment options are based on surgical excision mostly with radical hysterectomy, but in advanced or recurrent state of the disease, other treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, can be employed. Prognosis for these patients is very poor, and survival rate remains extremely low, with the median OS reported being less than 2 years. Reporting and publishing of such cases are both of paramount importance for the better understanding of this uncommon cervical malignancy, and further biological and clinical investigations are required for more suitable and effective therapies to be determined. A new staging system, specific to PMMC, could be of great use for the better correlation of the disease's stage and prognosis of these patients.

Primary malignant melanoma of the female genital tract synchronously involving the vulva and uterine cervix: A case report

RATIONALE

Primary melanomas of the female genital tract are rare and usually occur in the vulva and vagina. Involvement of the cervix, uterus, and ovary are extremely rare. Surgery and adjuvant therapy remain the mainstay of treatment. The majority of patients experience poor long-term survival. This report aimed at highlighting an extremely rare case of primary melanoma of the female genitalia, synchronously involving the vulva and uterine cervix.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 58-year-old multiparous female presented with postmenopausal bleeding for 10 days.

DIAGNOSES

Speculum examination and histologic analysis of the surgical specimens revealed synchronous involvement of the vulva and uterine cervix by malignant melanoma. According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer stage grouping for melanoma, this tumor was at stage V.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient subsequently underwent radical surgery and postoperative chemotherapy.

OUTCOMES

She has been on regular follow-up, and is now free of disease for 50 months after the operation.

LESSONS

Primary melanomas of the female genital tract have biologically aggressive characteristics. Optimal management consists of individualized surgery and adjuvant therapy. However, early recognition and prompt intervention offer maximal benefit from treatment.