Abstract
Metastatic malignant melanoma (MM) of the liver evolving into acute hepatic failure is a rare occurrence. We describe the case of an 82-year-old man with a history of MM on the left thumb treated with amputation and chemotherapy 40 months previously. On admission, he had abdominal pain, weight loss, lethargy and jaundice. Radiologic investigations such as enhanced computed tomography and abdominal ultrasound failed to establish an etiologic diagnosis. A liver biopsy revealed amelanotic melanoma cells diffusely infiltrating the hepatic parenchyma. His liver injury progressed and the patient died of hepatic failure on the 13th hospital day. Autopsy revealed >70% infiltration by metastatic amelanotic melanoma in the liver.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rose DM, Essner R, Hughes TM, Tang PC, Bilchik A, Wanek LA, Thompson JF, Morton DL. Surgical resection for metastatic melanoma to the liver: the John Wayne Cancer Institute and Sydney Melanoma Unit experience. Arch Surg. 2001;136:950–5.
Bouloux PM, Scott RJ, Goligher JE, Kindell C. Fulminant hepatic failure secondary to diffuse liver infiltration by melanoma. J R Soc Med. 1986;79:302–3.
Kaplan GG, Medlicott S, Culleton B, Laupland KB. Acute hepatic failure and multi-system organ failure secondary to replacement of the liver with metastatic melanoma. BMC Cancer. 2005;5:67.
Montero JL, Muntane J, de las Heras S, Ortega R, Fraga E, De la Mata M. Acute liver failure caused by diffuse hepatic melanoma infiltration. J Hepatol. 2002;37:540–1.
Rubio S, Barbero-Villares A, Reina T, Nieto S, Mendoza J, Garcia-Buey L. Rapidly-progressive liver failure secondary to melanoma infiltration. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005;28:619–21.
Shan GD, Xu GQ, Chen LH, Wang ZM, Jin EY, Hu FL, Li YM. Diffuse liver infiltration by melanoma of unknown primary origin: one case report and literature review. Intern Med. 2009;48:2093–6.
Tanaka M, Watanabe S, Masaki T, Kurokohchi K, Kinekawa F, Inoue H, Uchida N, Kuriyama S. Fulminant hepatic failure caused by malignant melanoma of unknown primary origin. J Gastroenterol. 2004;39:804–6.
Te HS, Schiano TD, Kahaleh M, Lissoos TW, Baker AL, Hart J, Conjeevaram HS. Fulminant hepatic failure secondary to malignant melanoma: case report and review of the literature. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999;94:262–6.
Harrison HB, Middleton HM 3rd, Crosby JH, Dasher MN Jr. Fulminant hepatic failure: an unusual presentation of metastatic liver disease. Gastroenterology. 1981;80:820–5.
Rowbotham D, Wendon J, Williams R. Acute liver failure secondary to hepatic infiltration: a single centre experience of 18 cases. Gut. 1998;42:576–80.
Uchiyama S, Imamura N, Ohuchida J, Hiyoshi M, Nagano M, Marutsuka K, Akiyama Y, Chijiiwa K. Late recurrence of malignant melanoma in the duodenum. Hepatogastroenterology. 2008;55:1619–21.
Slattery E, O’Donoghue D. Metastatic melanoma presenting 24 years after surgical resection: a case report and review of the literature. Cases J. 2009;2:189.
Berman C, Reintgen D. Radiologic imaging in malignant melanoma: a review. Semin Surg Oncol. 1993;9:232–8.
Kalkman E, Baxter G. Melanoma. Clin Radiol. 2004;59:313–26.
Matusiak L, Bieniek A, Wozniak Z, Szepietowski JC. Amelanotic malignant melanoma in an acral location. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Panonica Adriat. 2008;17:72–4.
Huvos AG, Shah JP, Goldsmith HS. A clinicopathologic study of amelanotic melanoma. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1972;135:917–20.
Ramsay JA, From L, Iscoe NA, Kahn HJ. MIB-1 proliferative activity is a significant prognostic factor in primary thick cutaneous melanomas. J Invest Dermatol. 1995;105:22–6.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fusasaki, T., Narita, R., Hiura, M. et al. Acute hepatic failure secondary to extensive hepatic replacement by metastatic amelanotic melanoma: an autopsy case report. Clin J Gastroenterol 3, 327–331 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12328-010-0181-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12328-010-0181-x