Epidemiology
- Only 20 verified reported cases (all occurred in adults)
Physiology
- Primary melanoma in lung (may possibly develop from neuroendocrine cells in lung)
Diagnosis
- FOB: TBB/EBB is usually diagnostic
-Immunohistochemical stains/ EM: useful to confirm diagnosis
CXR/Chest CT: all cases presented with both endobronchial disease and parenchymal masses v
Clinical
- Melanoma originating from an extrapulmonary site (ocular/ cutaneous) site must be excluded
Treatment
- Surgical resection: may produce prolonged remission
- XRT: for non-surgical candidates
- Immunotherapy: (IL-2, etc.) useful for refractory or recurrent disease
References
- xxx