Malignant melanoma metastatic to the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

Malignant melanoma, a common malignancy whose prevalence is increasing, represents 1-3% of cancers in the United States [1]. At autopsy, metastatic deposits to the gut are frequently found, but less than 9% of melanoma patients are diagnosed with gastrointestinal metastases while living [2]. Modern management includes aggressive surgical therapy to prolong survival and to palliate the disease [3]. Therefore, imaging of metastatic melanoma is clinically important to detect extent and determine whether the patient would benefit by surgery. Gastrointestinal metastases may manifest as mucosal or submucosal masses, serosal implants, or carcinomatosis [4]. They arise more commonly in the mesentery or distal small bowel than the proximal gastrointestinal tract or colon. The purpose of this essay is to illustrate the appearance of melanoma metastatic to the gastrointestinal tract on luminal contrast studies and on CT and to emphasize the importance of early investigation of gastrointestinal symptoms in a patient with a history of malignant melanoma.