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GIOVANNI GUERCIO

Intestinal melanoma: A broad spectrum of clinical presentation

  • Authors: Patti, R; Cacciatori, M; Guercio, G; Territo, V; Di Vita, G
  • Publication year: 2012
  • Type: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
  • OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/104830

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Small intestine melanomas are rare and the most of them are metastases from primary cutaneous neoplasms. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Below, we report two cases of small intestine metastatic melanoma with very different clinical presentation. DISCUSSION: Still now, primary versus metastatic origin is often unclear. Small bowel melanoma is often asymptomatic. However, clinical picture can be various; it may occurs with non specific symptoms and signs of gastro-intetstinal involvement, like chronic abdominal pain, occult or gross bleeding and weight loss, or with an emergency picture due to intestinal intussusception, obstruction or, rarely, perforation. CONCLUSION: Small bowel melanoma is rare and the diagnosis done late. Imaging techniques are recommended in order to obtain early diagnosis of gastrointestinal metastases.