An unusual case of malignant melanoma of the small intestine

Abstract

A 42-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea. Small bowel x-rays and endoscopy revealed a diffuse, infiltrating lesion of the small intestine, which on biopsy proved to be melanoma diffusely infiltrating the lamina propria. Because of marked hypoalbuminemia, protein-losing enteropathy was suspected. This is an unusual case, because melanoma of the small intestine usually does not produce diffuse involvement.