Unusual presentations of melanoma: melanoma of unknown primary site, melanoma arising in childhood, and melanoma arising in the eye and on mucosal surfaces

Surg Clin North Am. 2014 Oct;94(5):1059-73, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2014.07.010. Epub 2014 Aug 8.

Abstract

Most melanomas present as primary tumors on the skin surface in adults; however, melanomas also arise in the eye and on the mucosal surfaces or present as apparently metastatic disease without any known history of a cutaneous primary. Melanoma is also being diagnosed during childhood more frequently than ever. Surgeons need to be aware of and understand these unusual presentations of melanoma to optimally manage their patients.

Keywords: Adjuvant therapy; Immunotherapy; Melanoma; Mucosal melanoma; Pediatric melanoma; Targeted therapy; Unknown primary; Uveal melanoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Dermis / pathology
  • Eye Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Medical History Taking
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Mucous Membrane / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / surgery
  • Physical Examination
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
  • Viscera / pathology