Malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac: a case report

Exclusive or combined endoscopic approach to tumours of the lower lacrimal pathway: review of the literature

A literature review was conducted to assess the role of minimally-invasive endoscopic treatments for lacrimal pathway neoplasms. The study involved the analysis of 316 patients with benign or malignant tumours affecting the lacrimal drainage system. Histologically, the analysis revealed a prevalence of squamous cell carcinoma, followed by lymphatic neoplasms and melanomas. In terms of treatment, minimally-invasive endoscopic approaches, such as endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, play a predominant role in managing early-stage tumours, rather than merely obtaining samples for histological analysis. For more extensive tumours, which constitute the majority of cases, more aggressive external approaches are required, along with the use of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The lack of universally shared staging systems poses a limitation in standardisation and comparison of results. Treatment of these tumours remains complex due to their rarity and histological heterogeneity. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to optimise outcomes.

Primary lacrimal sac melanoma: a case report describing the novel use of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for diagnosis, together with literature review and immunotherapy treatment update

Primary lacrimal sac melanoma (PLSM) is exceedingly rare and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, PLSM often presents insidiously resulting in delayed detection and poor prognosis. A 69-year-old Black man was suspected of having a lacrimal sac tumour following presentation with a left sided watery eye, bloody tears, and a lacrimal mass. Due to the patient's implantable pacemaker, defibrillator, and high anticoagulation, an ultrasound-guided FNAC was performed instead of incisional biopsy, revealing a PLSM. Diagnosis was confirmed following complete tumour resection with free flap reconstruction and neck dissection. Unfortunately, disease progression ensued despite further neck dissection and three cycles of both pembrolizumab and iplimumab. This is the first description of FNAC to accurately diagnose PLSM and highlights its use as an accurate, rapid, and minimally invasive technique that may allow an earlier screening diagnosis of lacrimal sac tumours. We also discuss the outcome of immunotherapy in recent similar cases.

Melanoma of the lacrimal drainage system: A systematic review

Melanoma of the lacrimal drainage system (LDSM) is a rare and subtle condition that is frequently misdiagnosed. In the present work, we conducted a systematic review investigating the clinical features, management, and prognosis of LDSM. A structured search, according to PRISMA criteria, was performed in April 2020 and updated in February 2021 on Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS. The articles found underwent a double-reviewer selection and the main data were extracted. After complete screening, 30 articles reporting 38 cases were included. The time from the first symptom to medical contact ranged from 1 month to 4 years. Surgery was the treatment proposed to all patients, with a variable extension of resection. LDSM is a rare disease that is burdened by poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is crucial, even if difficult to achieve. Surgery and radiotherapy are standardized treatments, while targeted therapy and immunotherapy are attractive prospects.

CT and MRI findings in relapsing primary malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac: a case report and brief literature review

BACKGROUND

Primary lacrimal sac melanoma is an extremely rare condition with fewer than 50 cases reported so far. Clinically, its symptoms resemble those of dacryocystitis, leading to frequent misdiagnosis. During diagnosis, imaging examination is often performed to differentiate tumors from inflammation. In this report, we present a case of primary lacrimal sac melanoma and summarize the CT and MRI characteristics of lacrimal sac melanoma.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a 50-year-old female patient who had undergone a dacryocystectomy for the left lacrimal sac mass. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed the presence of primary malignant melanoma. Three months later, a lump in the lacrimal sac area was found. The patient underwent CT and MR examinations. CT scan demonstrated a partially well-defined soft mass in the fossa of left lacrimal sac extending into the nasolacrimal duct and anterior ethmoid sinus. MRI revealed an intermediate signal intensity on T1 and iso-or hyper-signal on T2 weighted images. Histopathological examination on biopsy confirmed recurrence of primary lacrimal sac melanoma.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

None has described the CT and MR findings of primary lacrimal sac melanoma so far. Typically, MR images show hyperintensity signal on T1-weighted images and hypointense signal on T2-weighted images owing to the paramagnetic properties of melanin. In contrast to previous reports and the present case, most cases do not present these typical signals. Thus, reporting such radiological findings is important to create awareness on variant images of primary lacrimal sac melanoma. This will reduce misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Lacrimal Sac Malignant Melanoma in 15 Japanese Patients: Case Report and Literature Review

Background. Primary malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac is rare. A patient with lacrimal sac melanoma was presented, and 14 Japanese patients with lacrimal sac melanoma in the literature were reviewed. Case Presentation. A 78-year-old Japanese man was presented with painless swelling of the lacrimal sac on the left side. Dacryocystectomy revealed diffuse infiltration with large epithelioid cells, sometimes with pigments, which were positive for cocktail mix of antibodies to tyrosinase, melan A (MART-1), and HMB45, leading to pathological diagnosis of melanoma. One month later, positron emission tomography (PET) revealed 2 high-uptake sites (SUV_max = 10.29 and 15.38) at the levels of medial canthus and nasolacrimal duct, but no abnormal uptake in the other site of the body. The lesion had the BRAF V600E mutation. He began to take daily oral dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor), leading to no abnormal uptake on PET in half a year. He had stable disease in good physical status with small and weak uptake sites of lymph nodes on PET 1 year later. Results. In the review of 15 Japanese patients, including this patient, local recurrence was noted in 4 patients, regional lymph node metastasis only in 3, distant metastasis in 6, and no metastasis in 6. Five patients died within 2 years and the others were alive in short follow-up periods. Conclusions. Chemotherapy was the standard for local recurrence or metastasis. Emerging molecular target drugs, as shown in the present patient, would change the strategy for management of lacrimal sac melanoma.

Lacrimal Sac Tumors--A Review

Tumors of the lacrimal sac are rare but their recognition and early management are imperative, as they are locally invasive and potentially life-threatening. Because of their rarity, large clinical studies with statistically significant data on the natural course, management, and prognosis of these neoplasms are unavailable. Current practices are therefore based on a few case series and a small number of isolated case reports. Most tumors are primary and of epithelial origin (60-94%), of which 55% are malignant. Lacrimal sac tumors typically present with epiphora and a palpable mass over the medial canthus and are thus often erroneously diagnosed as chronic dacryocystitis. A full history with clinical and diagnostic workup is essential to plan treatment, which is often multi-disciplinary. Statistically significant associations have been shown with higher tumor staging and size with increased metastatic risk and lower survival rates. Management usually involves complete surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for malignant lesions. Long-term follow-up is required, as recurrences and metastases can occur many years after initial treatment.