Massive Pleural Effusion as the First Manifestation of Malignant Melanoma Metastasis.

Kim, Hee Gu; Ryu, Jeong Seon; Kwak, Seung Min; Lee, Hong Lyeol; Kim, Lucia; Cho, Jae Hwa

doi:2004.57.3.289

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 57(3); 2004 > Article

Original Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2004;57(3):289-291.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2004.57.3.289 Published online September 1, 2004.

Massive Pleural Effusion as the First Manifestation of Malignant Melanoma Metastasis.

Hee Gu Kim, Jeong Seon Ryu, Seung Min Kwak, Hong Lyeol Lee, Lucia Kim, Jae Hwa Cho

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. Jaehwa.Cho@inha.ac.kr
²Department of Pathology, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.

Abstract

Malignant melanoma develops from melanocytes and frequently metastases to other organs. Common metastatic sites are other skin, lymph nodes, lung, liver, brain and bone in decreasing order of frequency. Malignant pleural effusion is less frequent manifestation of thoracic metastasis. We experienced a 57-year-old man with pleural effusion who received radical resection with local flap on left foot due to acral lentiginous melanoma 3 years ago. He had progressive chest pain and left massive pleural effusion. The pleural cytology and biopsy showed malignant melanoma. After closed thoracostomy and talc pleurodesis, he refused further immunotherapy and chemotherapy and discharged.

Key Words: Malignant melanoma, Pleural effusion