Giant cutaneous melanomas: Evidence for primary tumour induced dormancy in metastatic sites?

William W. Tseng, Judy A. Doyle, Sheilagh Maguiness, Andrew E. Horvai, Mohammed Kashani-Sabet, Stanley P.L. Leong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two patients with giant, 8 cm and 19 cm melanomas of the upper extremity, respectively, are presented and discussed. Both patients had neglected their tumours and sought medical attention only after the appearance of distressing symptoms (for example, bleeding). Palpable lymph nodes were found on physical examination but no evidence of distant metastases was noted on imaging studies despite such enormous primary tumours. Both patients underwent aggressive treatment, including complete surgical resection of the primary tumour and ipsilateral axillary lymphnode dissection. One patient had no evidence of local recurrence, but developed metastatic disease at 6 months follow-up. The other patient developed local recurrence and distant metastases within 2 months of resection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalBMJ case reports
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 5 2009

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