Nodal Melanoma Metastasis under Infliximab Therapy in a Patient with Nevoid Melanoma First Misdiagnosed as Benign Nevus: A Potentially Dangerous Diagnostic Pitfall in the Era of Biologic Therapies

Case Rep Dermatol. 2013 Oct 11;5(3):290-4. doi: 10.1159/000355670. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

We report the case of a 53-year-old Caucasian woman who developed nodal melanoma metastasis under infliximab therapy 2 years after the removal of a nevoid melanoma, which was initially misdiagnosed as a benign compound nevus. This case illustrates the potential link between tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibition and the reactivation of latent melanoma. Furthermore, this case highlights the need for a complete skin examination before using anti-TNF-α therapy to rule out atypical malignant lesions or melanomas that can easily be missed because of presentations such as nevoid melanoma.

Keywords: Diagnostic pitfalls; Infliximab; Metastasis; Nevoid melanoma; Tumor necrosis factor-α.

Publication types

  • Case Reports