A case of metastatic malignant melanoma presenting with large axillary mass and massive ascites mimicking hematologic malignancy

Bahar Engin; Bengü Erkul; Alp Özgüzer; Muhammed Ali Kaypak; Mustafa Değirmenci; Harun Akar

doi:10.5606/fng.btd.2016.024

Bahar Engin¹, Bengü Erkul¹, Alp Özgüzer², Muhammed Ali Kaypak¹, Mustafa Değirmenci³, Harun Akar¹

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
²Department of Pathology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
³Department of Medical Oncology Outpatient Unit, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey

Keywords: Ascites; axillary mass; biopsy; malignant melanoma; skin lesions.

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is not only a type of skin cancer but also characterized with a wide spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms. In this article we report a 32-year-old male case who was admitted to internal medicine clinic for his large axillary mass and massive ascites that was initially thought to be due to hematologic malignancy. During our clinical follow-up an ulcerated skin lesion was noticed. Both the pathological evaluations of axillary mass and skin lesion revealed metastatic malignant melanoma.