Amelanotic metastasis of melanoma mimicking ovarian cancer: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Ovarian manifestation of metastatic amelanotic melanoma is exceptionally rare and can lead to the clinical and even histological misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer. We report on a 35-year-old female patient who presented with bilateral adnexal masses, as well as massive ascites. She underwent laparascopy and multiple biopsies were taken. She was histologically diagnosed with malignant ovarian tumour and was referred for radical surgery. Postoperative final histological examination and immunohistochemical staining of the tumour revealed an amelanotic epithelioid melanoma. Despite the variety of this case, clinicians should be aware of this differential diagnosis when treating ovarian cancer. This report discusses the differential diagnosis and clinical management of both metastatic amelanotic malignant melanoma of the ovary and epithelial ovarian cancer.