Anthracofibrotic Lymph Node of Neck Mimicking Metastatic Malignant Melanoma in a Patient With Gastric Cancer

Int J Surg Pathol. 2019 Oct;27(7):778-780. doi: 10.1177/1066896919845060. Epub 2019 Apr 24.

Abstract

Extrathoracic anthracofibrosis in head and neck region is of extremely rare occurrence and can be confused with malignancy. In this article, we report an unusual case of an anthracofibrotic lymph node of neck that was mistaken for metastatic malignant melanoma in a gastric cancer patient. Because the incidence of an anthracofibrotic lymph node of the neck is very low, it is important to distinguish it from other diseases, including malignancy or metastasis, especially in patients with a cancer history. Thus, pathological diagnosis of anthracofibrosis is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and find appropriate treatment.

Keywords: anthracosis; lymph node; malignant melanoma; neck; stomach neoplasm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anthracosis / diagnosis*
  • Anthracosis / pathology
  • Anthracosis / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / surgery
  • Lymphadenopathy / diagnosis*
  • Lymphadenopathy / pathology
  • Lymphadenopathy / surgery
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnosis
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Neck
  • Neck Dissection
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Rare Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Rare Diseases / pathology
  • Rare Diseases / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / therapy