Boutis Anastasios, Valeri Rosalia, Korantzis Ippokratis, Valoukas Dimitrios, Andronikidis Ioannis, Andreadis Charalambos
3rd Department of Clinical Oncology, Theagenion Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
World J Surg Oncol. 2008 Nov 20;6:124. doi: 10.1186/1477-7819-6-124.
Metastatic involvement of the ovary from malignant melanoma is uncommon and presents a diagnostic challenge. Most cases are associated with disseminated disease and carry a dismal prognosis. Delayed ovarian recurrences from melanoma may mimic primary ovarian cancer and lead to aggressive cytoreductive procedures.
A case of malignant melanoma in a premenopausal patient is presented with late abdominal and ovarian metastatic spread, where ascitic fluid cytology led to an accurate preoperative diagnosis and the avoidance of unnecessary surgical procedures.
Secondary ovarian involvement is associated with a poor prognosis and efforts should be made for adequate palliation. Pathologic diagnosis with non-invasive procedures is crucial in order to avoid unnecessary surgery. Surgical interventions may be undertaken only in selected cases of limited metastatic disease, where complete resection is expected.
