A primary tumour of the oesophagus with both melanocytic and schwannian differentiation. Melanocytic schwannoma or malignant melanoma?. Issue 4 (1st April 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, R M; Darnton, S J; Papadaki, L; Antonakopoulos, G N; Newman, J
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 55:Issue 4(2002)
• Page Start: 318
• Page End: 320
• Publication Date: 2002-04-01
• Subjects: oesophageal neoplasms -- schwannoma -- melanoma; Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : A 76 year old white woman presented with a four month history of dysphagia and weight loss. Clinical, radiological, and endoscopic examination revealed a pigmented mass in the lower third of the oesophagus. The preoperative diagnosis, including biopsy examination, was that of malignant melanoma. Following oesophageal resection, the mass was found to be a localised, relatively superficial tumour with light, electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical features common to both Schwann cells and melanocytes. The patient survived 46 months after surgery and died of a stroke, with no evidence of tumour recurrence. The tumour is presented as a case of melanocytic schwannoma, with unique features when compared with oesophageal melanotic schwannomas and malignant melanomas described in the literature. The differential diagnosis is discussed and an origin from a common precursor cell of neural crest origin is postulated.