Nodular malignant melanoma of the scalp : a case report
2017 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 55-60
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2017 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 55-60
Malignant melanoma is a skin cancer with extremely high malignant potential, originating from pigment and nevus cells. The incidence of malignant melanoma as a primary cancer occurring on the scalp is low, and its prognosis is poor.
We report a case of nodular malignant melanoma of the scalp, which presented diagnostic difficulties.
A 74-year-old woman presented to our dermatology clinic with a skin nodule on her scalp. She reported being aware of the lesion for 4 years prior to her visit to our clinic. An incisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a compound nevus, and she was advised to follow-up. However, the nevus was observed to gradually increase in size.
She returned to our dermatology clinic 2 years after the biopsy, and with a high index of suspicion for malignancy, she was referred to our department that same year. We performed an excisional biopsy, and a diagnosis of malignant melanoma was confirmed. She underwent an extended excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy, and closure of the wound with a rotation flap. TNM classification was pT4aN0M0, and it was a stage IIB cancer. We administered postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with dacarbazine, nimustine, vincristine, and interferon beta (DAV-Feron). She presented with metastases throughout the body 8 months after surgery and was transferred to the palliative care department in the hospital.[Skin Cancer (Japan) 2017 ; 32 : 55-60]
