Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Endoscopy 2023; 55(S 01): E779-E780
DOI: 10.1055/a-2092-0107
E-Videos

Primary malignant melanoma of the pancreas diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle biopsy

Authors

  • Shenglin Xu

    1   Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
  • Yaping Ye

    2   Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
  • Wen Guo

    1   Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
  • Side Liu

    1   Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
  • Yue Li

    1   Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
Clinical Trials Registrierung: Southern Medical University Nanfang Hospital NCT05549856
Preview

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) plays an important role in obtaining pathology specimens from pancreatic lesions. FNB needles have been designed to acquire larger “core” specimens that preserve tissue architecture and permit histologic evaluation and immunohistologic staining [1] [2]. In this study, we report an extremely rare case of primary pancreatic melanoma diagnosed by EUS-FNB using a 22-gauge Franseen needle.

A 59-year-old woman presented with a 2-day history of abdominal pain. Her laboratory tests including liver function, pancreatic amylase, and tumor markers were all within normal limits. Computed tomography revealed a low-density round lesion measuring 4.5 × 5.1 cm in the head of the pancreas with invasion into the portal vein ([Fig. 1]). Positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed a cystic tumor at the head of the pancreas with a moderate level of glucose metabolism ([Fig. 2]). To determine the diagnosis, we carried out EUS-FNB of the pancreatic mass ([Fig. 3 a], [Video 1]) and obtained a large amount of black tissue ([Fig. 3 b]). Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed atypical tumor cells accompanied by melanin deposition ([Fig. 4 a]); immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for melanocytic marker Human Melanoma Black 45 (HMB-45) ([Fig. 4 b]) and Melan-A. The pathological findings revealed malignant melanoma of the pancreas, and we carefully re-checked that there were no pigmented spots on the skin or oral mucosa. Eventually, the patient was diagnosed with primary melanoma of the pancreas. She has received regular toripalimab immunotherapy combined with anlotinib, and after two cycles of therapy her abdominal pain was significantly relieved.

Zoom
Fig. 1 Computed tomography revealed a mass in the head of the pancreas.
Zoom
Fig. 2 Positron emission tomography/computed tomography of the mass.
Zoom
Fig. 3 a Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a low-density round lesion measuring 4.5 × 5.1 cm with regular borders in the head of the pancreas. b Black tissue obtained by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle biopsy.

Video 1 Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle biopsy of primary malignant melanoma of the pancreas.

Zoom
Fig. 4 Histopathology of the pancreatic tissue samples. a Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed atypical tumor cells accompanied by melanin deposition (magnification, × 400). b Immunohistochemical staining was positive for Human Melanoma Black 45 (magnification, × 400).

To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary malignant melanoma of the pancreas diagnosed using the EUS-FNB technique. As our case has demonstrated, EUS-FNB was crucial for the tissue acquisition and pathological diagnosis.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AZ_2AB

E-Videos is an open access online section of the journal Endoscopy, reporting on interesting cases and new techniques in gastroenterological endoscopy. All papers include a high-quality video and are published with a Creative Commons CC-BY license. Endoscopy E-Videos qualify for HINARI discounts and waivers and eligibility is automatically checked during the submission process. We grant 100% waivers to articles whose corresponding authors are based in Group A countries and 50% waivers to those who are based in Group B countries as classified by Research4Life (see: https://www.research4life.org/access/eligibility/).

This section has its own submission website at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/e-videos



Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Juni 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany