Solitary pulmonary metastasis from primary melanoma of the oesophagus 5 years after resection of the primary tumor

BACKGROUND: Primary malignant melanoma of the oesophagus (PMME) is an uncommon tumor. PMME has an aggressive biological behavior, similar to melanomas developed elsewhere in the body. Most patients die from distant metastases, and the overall 5 year survival rate is approximately 4%. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of a solitary pulmonary metastasis found 5 years after curative resection of primary esophageal melanoma. No other sites of metastatic disease were identified. Video-assisted lung wedge resection of the lung nodule was carried out successfully. CONCLUSION: This supports the concept that patients with primary melanoma of the oesophagus treated should be carefully followed up.