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| Melanoma in the ampulla of Vater |
| Antonia Bendic, Merica Glavina Durdov, Radoslav Stipic and Ivana Karaman |
Split, Croatia
Author Affiliations: Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Cytology (Bendic A, Glavina Durdov M and Karaman I) and Department of Abdominal Surgery (Stipic R), Clinical Hospital Center Split, University School of Medicine, Spinciceva 1, Split 21000, Croatia
Corresponding Author: Antonia Bendic, MD, Department of Pathology, Forensic medicine and Cytology, Clinical Hospital Center Split, University School of Medicine, Spinciceva 1, Split 21000, Croatia (Tel: 385-21-556- 486; Fax: 385-21-389-510; Email: antonia.bendic@gmail.com) |
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Abstract BACKGROUND: The most common tumors in the ampulla of Vater are adenocarcinomas. Although malignant melanoma usually occurs on the skin, it can also arise in the gastrointestinal and biliary tract.
METHOD: We present a case of a 52-year-old, previously healthy man who presented with painless jaundice.
RESULTS: Clinical examination revealed dilated intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and pancreatic duct due to the obstructive mass in the ampulla of Vater. The patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and histopathological diagnosis of the resected tumor mass was malignant melanoma. Thorough clinical examination was preformed, but no other primary or metastatic site of melanoma could be found. In the next few months, the patient developed multiple liver metastases and died.
CONCLUSION: An isolated amelanotic lesion in the ampulla of Vater can be a potential diagnostic pitfall, especially in patients who have had melanoma.
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2013, Vol. 12 
