PRIMARY malignant melanoma almost always occurs in the skin, but may occur in other sites where melanin cells reside, eg, the eye, oronasal mucosa, and anorectal region. There have been cases of primary melanoma in the oral cavity, esophagus, gallbladder, uterus, genitourinary tract, and meninges as well as 13 reported cases of melanoma in the thorax.1 We have recently encountered an unusual case of malignant melanoma presenting as a mediastinal mass, which is, to our knowledge, the first reported case.
Report of a Case
A 31-year-old man was admitted because a chest roentgenogram disclosed a mediastinal mass (Fig 1). He complained of general malaise, weight loss, temperature spikes, and jaundice (the latter secondary to proved hemolytic anemia). In particular, there was no history of an enlarging or changing nevus, and findings from dermatologic, ophthalmologic, and laryngoscopic examinations failed to show any evidence of melanoma. There was no peripheral lymphadenopathy.