Biomaterial Database

[Mediastinal amelanotic melanoma presenting as superior vena cava syndrome]. 1997

M Shishido, and N Nagao, and K Miyamoto

Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Nagareyama Hospital, Chiba, Japan.

A 60-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with anterior chest discomfort and superior vena cava syndrome. A chest X-ray film revealed a right upper mediastinal mass. A needle biopsy was done. Anaplastic tumor cells was found after HE staining. No melanin was found and the origin of the tumor cells could not be determined. Radiation and chemotherapy caused the tumor to shrink markedly. Because the tumor had invaded the superior vena cava, only reduction surgery could be done. The patient died 6 months after admission. Amelanotic malignant melanoma was diagnosed after immunohistochemical study of the resected specimen. Mediastinal malignant melanoma has been reported very infrequently and to our knowledge this is the first report of mediastinal amelanotic malignant melanoma.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008479	Mediastinal Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the MEDIASTINUM.	Cancer of Mediastinum,Mediastinal Cancer,Cancer of the Mediastinum,Mediastinum Cancer,Mediastinum Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Mediastinal,Cancer, Mediastinal,Cancer, Mediastinum,Cancers, Mediastinal,Cancers, Mediastinum,Mediastinal Cancers,Mediastinal Neoplasm,Mediastinum Cancers,Mediastinum Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Mediastinal,Neoplasm, Mediastinum,Neoplasms, Mediastinum
D008543	Melanins	Insoluble polymers of TYROSINE derivatives found in and causing darkness in skin (SKIN PIGMENTATION), hair, and feathers providing protection against SUNBURN induced by SUNLIGHT. CAROTENES contribute yellow and red coloration.	Allomelanins,Melanin,Phaeomelanins
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013479	Superior Vena Cava Syndrome	A condition that occurs when the obstruction of the thin-walled SUPERIOR VENA CAVA interrupts blood flow from the head, upper extremities, and thorax to the RIGHT ATRIUM. Obstruction can be caused by NEOPLASMS; THROMBOSIS; ANEURYSM; or external compression. The syndrome is characterized by swelling and/or CYANOSIS of the face, neck, and upper arms which is called Pemberton's sign. Classification of SVC obstruction is often based on COLLATERAL CIRCULATION.	Obstruction of the Superior Vena Cava,SVC Obstruction,SVC Syndrome,SVC Thrombosis,Superior Vena Cava Obstruction,Superior Vena Cava Thrombosis,Obstruction, SVC,SVC Obstructions,SVC Syndromes,SVC Thromboses,Syndrome, SVC,Thrombosis, SVC