TITLE:
Unusual primary location of the malignant melanoma, the cervico-vaginal region: 3 cases and literature review
AUTHORS:
El Fatemi Hinde, Bennani Amal, Saadi Hannane, Bouchikhi Cherhazade, Bannani Abdelaziz, Mellas Nawfel, Mesbahi Omar
KEYWORDS:
Genital Tract; Malignant Melanoma; Cervix; Vagina; Chemotherapy; CD117
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.2 No.3,
September
7,
2012
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Malignant melanoma (MM) represents 1% of all cancers and has an incidence of 3% - 7% in the female genital tract, the majority of cases being reported in the vulva. The cervico-vaginal region is an unsual primary location of the malignant mela-noma. Case report: The clinical and morphologic findings of 3 MM patients with cervico-vaginal tumours mimicking cervical polyp in third case. Histologically, the neoplasia was formed by nodules of broad cytoplasmic cells with poorly defined borders with pleomorphic nuclei with prominent nucleolae. Tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein, Melan A, HMB 45 and CD117. The authors discuss three cases of cervico-vaginal melanoma and analyze clinical and prognostic aspects of this disease. Conclusion: Primary MM of the cervix should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical malignancies. Early diagnosis is essential in order to warrant a better prognosis, although there are no cases of cure described.