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Primary malignant melanoma of the lung with rapid progression

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Abstract

This report presents a case of primary malignant melanoma of the lung with rapid progression in a 68-year-old man. During a regular checkup, a chest roentgenogram revealed an abnormal shadow in the left lower lung field. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed an ill-defined tumor shadow measuring 4 × 3 cm in the left upper lobe. A CT-guided lung biopsy suggested a large-cell carcinoma, and left upper lobectomy was performed. Histopathologically, the tumor was comprised of malignant epithelial tumor cells with large amounts of acidophilic cytoplasm and prominent nuclei. A dark brown pigment was observed in the tumor cells. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for S-100 protein and HMB45; staining for cytokeratin, CAM5.2, and chromogranin was negative. The final diagnosis was malignant melanoma of the lung. Two months later, multiple brain metastases developed, and he died of the disease 6 months after the surgery.

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Correspondence to Ryo Maeda.

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Maeda, R., Isowa, N., Onuma, H. et al. Primary malignant melanoma of the lung with rapid progression. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 57, 671–674 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-009-0454-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-009-0454-9

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