[Amelanotic nodular malignant melanoma of the vulva. Case report and review of the literature]

Abstract

We describe a 55-year-old woman with an amelanotic nodular malignant melanoma of the vulva. The tumour had developed within 3 months. Physical examination showed a solid, erythematous, centrally depressed nodular tumour with a waxy appearance. It was 1.3 cm across and located on the right labium majus. The surface was eroded and showed teleangiectasias. Histopathological examination revealed a nodular malignant melanoma with predominantly spindle-shaped tumour cells, stage IV-V, and 7.2 mm thick. The primary tumour was excised but the patient died of generalized metastases 19 months later. There are very few reports on melanoma of the vulva in the dermatological literature. In addition to this case report we review the literature and discuss the clinical picture, histopathology and prognosis of this melanoma.