Jejunal metastatic melanoma presenting with occult gastrointestinal haemorrhage and refractory anaemia.
Sadik Al Hassani, Osama Zaman, Sola Ajayi et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
An elderly man with a history of cutaneous melanoma presented with chronic iron-deficiency anemia and weight loss. Imaging and endoscopy failed to provide a definitive diagnosis, revealing only an aneurysmal jejunal mass. An exploratory laparotomy led to en bloc resection of the affected jejunal segment, confirming metastatic melanoma through histopathology. The patient could not receive systemic therapy due to severe cardiac comorbidities.
What made this case unusual
The case is notable for the atypical presentation of metastatic melanoma as an aneurysmal jejunal mass, which is uncommon and posed significant diagnostic challenges.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider metastatic melanoma in patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, especially in those with a history of cutaneous melanoma, despite atypical imaging findings.
Why it matters
This case underscores the importance of surgical intervention for definitive diagnosis and symptom management in cases of suspected gastrointestinal metastasis, particularly when non-invasive methods fail.