2019 Volume 44 Issue 4 Pages 693-698
Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) is a rare neoplasm that accounts for 0.1%-0.2% of all esophageal tumors, and carries an extremely poor prognosis. We describe a case of PMME in which the course of development and growth of the tumor from melanosis of the esophagus were observed by semi-annual endoscopic examination, and the tumor could be treated by surgery. The patient was a 70-year-old woman with melanosis of the esophagus detected by endoscopy conducted during a medical check-up. Four years later, enlargement of the pigmented lesions was detected along with an elevated lesion, and biopsy revealed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Subtotal esophagectomy with right thoracotomy was carried out. Her postoperative course was uneventful. There are few cases of PMME that develop from esophageal melanosis.
