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Primary malignant melanoma of the male urethra
Author(s) -
Watanabe Jun,
Yamamoto Shingo,
Souma Takahito,
Hida Shuichi,
Takasu Kosho
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1046/j.1442-2042.2000.00206.x
Subject(s) - medicine , urethra , penectomy , melanoma , biopsy , lymph node , pathology , urology , anatomy , penis , cancer research , penile cancer
Background: We describe a rare case of malignant melanoma originating from the male urethra.Methods/Results: This case, which presented a tan‐colored lesion at the distal urethra on urethroscopy, was considered as transitional cell carcinoma by transurethral biopsy. Pathologic examination of widely resected urethra revealed scattering cells, which included melanin granules in cytoplasm, and then immunohistochemical stains established the diagnosis as amelanotic melanoma. Although partial penectomy and inguinal lymph node dissection were subsequently performed, 7 months later, total cystourethrectomy was required because of multifocal recurrence at the residual urethra.Conclusions: In cases of amelanotic melanoma, it should be noted that a lack of melanin granules in tumor cells may lead pathologists and urologists to a misdiagnosis due to the histologic non‐specific appearance. With respect to surgical management, of significance is the fact that malignant melanoma may progress multifocally along the total urethra; therefore, total urethrectomy should be considered as radical surgery for the primary site, even if the tumor is confined to the distal urethra.