In-Transit Metastasis From Melanoma Presenting as Lymphangiectasis: A Case Report
This article has been peer reviewed and approved by Michael Fisher, MD, Professor of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Review date: August 2009.
Drs. Shekhel and Glick report no conflict of interest. Dr. Cranmer is a consultant and stockholder for Abraxis Oncology; is on the speakers bureau for Amgen Inc and Schering-Plough; and is a consultant for Pfizer Inc. These relationships are not relevant to this article. The authors report no discussion of off-label use. Dr. Fisher reports no conflict of interest. The staff of CCME of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Cutis® have no conflicts of interest with commercial interest related directly or indirectly to this educational activity. Dr. Shekhel was a medical student, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona. She is currently a resident, Valley Hospital Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Glick is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale. Dr. Cranmer is Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson.
Tatyana Shekhel, DO; Ronald M. Glick, DO; Lee D. Cranmer, MD, PhD
Malignant melanoma as a cause of inflammatory metastasis to the skin is a rare phenomenon referred to as in-transit metastasis (ITM). We report an unusual case of a patient who developed left leg lesions resembling lymphangiectasis. Punch biopsy results revealed atypical cells consistent with melanoma. The patient had a history of high-risk melanoma involving the left side of the lower extremity. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion for ITM in patients with a history of melanoma. Therapeutic options are discussed.