Abstract
Secondary transformation in Germ Cell Tumours (GCT) is an extremely rare event. We report here a case of malignant melanoma arising in primary mediastinal GCT. A young male presented with new onset dyspnoea and a mediastinal mass. As serum alpha fetoprotein was raised, a diagnosis of primary mediastinal GCT was made. He achieved remission with standard chemotherapy and resection of the mass. After a year, he relapsed with widespread disease which on work-up revealed malignant melanoma. As examination for cutaneous melanoma was unremarkable, a diagnosis of mediastinal GCT with secondary transformation to melanoma was made. Exact origin of melanoma in GCTs is unknown, but these may occur from transformation of dermal elements or de-differentiation of germ cells to melanomas. Before making such a diagnosis, search for primary cutaneous melanoma is mandatory. No clear guidelines exist in literature for the treatment of secondary melanomas, so current management guidelines for cutaneous melanoma may be followed.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 98-100 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Extragonadal germ cell tumour
- Malignant
- Mediastinal
- Melanoma
- Teratoma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)