Surgical treatment of an endovascular metastatic melanoma of the superior vena cava

Dermatology. 1999;199(2):156-7. doi: 10.1159/000018225.

Abstract

A 42-year-old woman, who had undergone excision of a melanoma of her right forearm 3 years before (Breslow's index 4.4 mm), was admitted to hospital for the evaluation of an superior vena cava syndrome. The thoracic CT scan and the phlebography showed obstruction of the superior vena cava by an endovascular tumor. Abdominal, pelvis and cranial CT scans did not reveal any other metastatic localization. Surgery with extracorporeal circulation was performed. The mass was resected and histopathologic examination confirmed the endovascular metastatic melanoma. There was no heart metastasis. The patient was then given a polychemotherapy. She was still alive after 18 months of follow-up after the initial metastasis. To our knowledge, no similar case has previously been reported and surgical treatment, as for isolated heart metastatic melanoma, may be considered for vascular metastasis, as in our case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Azygos Vein
  • Endoscopy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / complications
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma / secondary*
  • Melanoma / surgery*
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vascular Neoplasms / complications
  • Vascular Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Vascular Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Vascular Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Vena Cava, Superior* / diagnostic imaging
  • Vena Cava, Superior* / surgery