MALIGNANT MELANOMA – METASTASES IN GIT: REPORT OF 4 CASES AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Purpose: We present four cases of malignant melanoma metastases in GIT. The symptoms which led to the hospitalization of the patients were ileus in two cases, hematemesis and hematochezia. Results: We performed operative treatment - small intestinal resection because of intussusception followed by anastomosis in three patients and in one patient, liver resection and bitruncular sigmostomy. The histopathology revealed metastases for malignant melanoma. All of the patients had previous operation for a skin form of malignant melanoma, and chemotherapy or immunotherapy was performed. The patients had a postoperative period without complications. Conclusions: Malignant melanoma is a widely common disease. It is the third neoplastic diseases which give metastases in the small intestine. Malignant melanoma metastases in the GIT are initially asymptomatic, but in time, they manifest with clinical presentation of ileus or bleeding from the GI tract.