Malignant metastatic melanoma to the gallbladder: Report of a peculiar case

INTRODUCTION: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and one of the fastest growing types of cancer. The occurrence of a malignant melanoma in the gastrointestinal tract, either primary or metastatic, is a rare event. Metastatis from cutaneous malignant melanoma to the gallbladder are a highly uncommon finding, usually associated with diffuse metastatic disease and observed during autopsy. The event of a solitary metastasis of malignant melanoma to gallbladder is barely reported. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 35-year old Caucasian woman with isolated metastasis of gallbladder from cutaneous primary malignant melanoma managed with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. DISCUSSION: Gallbladder metastasis as a first site of recurrence represents a rare condition for all cancers. Since the occurrence of an isolated gallbladder metastasis of cutaneous melanoma is an uncommon circumstance, no therapeutic guidelines have yet been proposed. Nevertheless cholecystectomy appears to be the standard of care for the treatment of this unusual condition, especially when symptomatic and for palliative purpose. The surgical approach is still debated, with no unanimous consent between mini-invasive surgery and open technique. CONCLUSION: In our case, we decided to carry out a three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy, preferring a mini-invasive approach considering the good performance status of our patient and her young age.