Sarcoidosis and melanoma: a referral center study of 1,199 cases

Abstract

Background: Case reports and small short case series have described patients with sarcoidosis and melanoma.

Objectives: To examine the relation between sarcoidosis and melanoma.

Methods: Computerized search of all patients seen at our department of dermatology between 1998 and 2007 and review of the literature using a Medline search from 1985 to June 2008.

Results: We identified 7 cases in our population of 1,199 melanoma inpatients. Including these cases, 20 cases of sarcoidosis have been described in melanoma patients. Fifteen patients had their sarcoidosis diagnosed after melanoma. In 7 cases, sarcoidosis was related to immunotherapy. Sarcoidosis presented mainly as pulmonary disease without severe organ involvement, with a benign evolution.

Conclusion: Our referral center study shows a prevalence of sarcoidosis of 0.58% among melanoma inpatients. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility that sarcoidosis may initially manifest itself in melanoma patients, especially after treatment with immunotherapy, and mimic metastatic disease.