Abstract

PRIMARY MALIGNANT MELANOMA OF UTERINE CERVIX: A RARE OCCURRENCE

Primary malignant melanoma of uterine cervix is a rare and aggressive neoplasm. In women, genital tract is the site of approximately 3%-7%of malignant melanomas. Majority of these occur in vulva or vagina, but cervix is a rare site. Cervical melanoma is reported in the age range of 19 to 83 years with peak incidence between 60 to 70years. Malignant melanoma presents with vaginal bleeding or discharge and appears as exophytic, polypoid, pigmented or colorless cervical mass. Diagnosis is by histopathology which should be confirmed by immunohistochemical staining with S100 protein and HMB45. Primary cervical melanoma must be differentiated from secondary metastasis of melanoma to the cervix from other sites in the body. In general, prognosis of primary cervical melanoma is poor, because it is diagnosed at an advanced stage. No consensus has been established regarding treatment of primary malignant melanoma of cervix, because of its rarity. Cervical melanoma is incurable in totality with the currently available therapies and hence it has to be diagnosed early. A 60 year old woman presented with white discharge per vagina. On examination, there was a bluish black colored mass arising from the anterior lip of cervix. Following histopathology and other investigations, a diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of uterine cervix was made. The case is reported for its rarity.

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