Primary melanoma of the gallbladder: does it exist? Report of a case and review of the literature

World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Jul 14;12(26):4259-61. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i26.4259.

Abstract

With the occasion of a case of malignant melanoma of the gallbladder, which appeared to be primary, we have reviewed the literature and the result of this research was that primary melanoma of the gallbladder remains a questionable medical entity. Only few cases of both primary and metastatic gallbladder melanoma have been reported so far, and the only agreement is that surgery is the mainstay treatment. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy, hormonotherapy or immunotherapy for both primary and metastatic disease remains undefined.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Female
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Ultrasonography