Primary urethral melanoma is an exceptionally rare malignancy, comprising a small fraction of melanomas and malignant tumors affecting the female urethra. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman presenting with symptoms initially suggestive of a benign urethral caruncle, which was later diagnosed as nodular melanoma upon histopathological examination. Despite complete surgical excision, subsequent imaging revealed widespread metastases to lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain. The patient was promptly referred for systemic therapy. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and emphasizes the importance of thorough staging and emerging treatment modalities, such as immunotherapy, in managing this aggressive malignancy.

Pleural metastatic melanoma is rare, and associated malignant pleural effusions are even rarer. We present a case of pleural metastatic melanoma with recurrent malignant pleural effusions. The initial diagnosis showed no metastatic disease, and the patient underwent resection and received a year of immunotherapy for localized disease. However, two years later, the patient presented with pleural metastatic melanoma with unresolving malignant pleural effusions requiring an indwelling pleural catheter and eventually, thoracotomy with decortication. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for pleural metastatic melanoma in the setting of recurrent pleural effusions, even though it is a rare occurrence.

Small-cell melanoma masquerading as an adrenal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The index report illustrates the deceptive cytomorphologic features of a small cell type malignant melanoma metastatic to the adrenal gland. The diagnosis was confirmed by performing immunocytochemistry on the cell block sections. The key cytomorphologic mimics and their distinctive features have also been highlighted.

The treatment landscape for advanced and metastatic melanoma has drastically changed in recent years, with the advent of novel therapeutic options such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies offering remarkable efficacy and significantly improved patient outcomes compared to traditional approaches. Approximately 50% of melanomas harbor activating BRAF mutations, with over 90% resulting in BRAF V600E. Tumors treated with BRAF inhibitor monotherapy have a high rate of developing resistance within six months. Combination therapy with MEK inhibitors helped to mitigate this treatment resistance and led to improved outcomes. Due to the up-regulation of PD-1/PD-L1 receptors in tumors treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy, further studies included a third combination agent, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. This triple combination therapy may have superior efficacy and a manageable safety profile when compared with single or double agent therapy regimens.
Effective treatment of advanced and metastatic melanoma can be challenging. Newer treatment methods for patients with BRAF-mutated tumors include a combination of drugs with different complementary mechanisms. These drugs include BRAF-inhibitors, MEK-inhibitors, and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. When these three medications are used in combination, patients may have better response rates and survival outcomes, when compared to using just one or two of these medications together. Toxicity rates are higher with a triple-medication regimen, so careful patient selection is important to consider.

Tartrolon D (TRL) is produced by Teredinibacter turnerae, a symbiotic cellulose-degrading bacteria in shipworm gills. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) induction contributes to a better and longer-lasting response to anticancer treatment. Tumor cells undergoing ICD trigger activation of the immune system, as a vaccine.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate ICD induction by TRL.
METHODS: Cell viability was evaluated by SRB assay. Cell stress, cell death, ICD features and antigen-presenting molecules were evaluated by flow cytometry and immunoblot.
RESULTS: TRL showed antiproliferative activity on 7 tumor cell lines (L929, HCT 116, B16-F10, WM293A, SK-MEL-28, PC-3M, and MCF-7) and a non-tumor cell (HEK293A), with an inhibition concentration mean (IC50) ranging from 0.03 μM to 13 μM. Metastatic melanomas, SK-MEL-28, B16-F10, and WM293A, were more sensitive cell lines, with IC50 ranging from 0.07 to 1.2 μM. TRL induced apoptosis along with autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress and release of typical damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) of ICD such calreticulin, ERp57, and HSP70 exposure, and HMGB1 release. Additionally, melanoma B16-F10 exposed to TRL increased expression of antigen-presenting molecules MHC II and CD1d and induced activation of splenocytes of C57BL/6 mice.
CONCLUSIONS: In spite of recent advances provided by target therapy and immunotherapy, advanced metastatic melanoma is incurable for more than half of patients. ICD inducers yield better and long-lasting responses to anticancer treatment. Our findings shed light on an anticancer candidate of marine origin that induces ICD in melanoma.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1180997.].

Historically, stage IV melanoma carried a dismal prognosis and surgical resection was the only potential treatment offering long-term survival or palliation of symptomatic disease. With modern systemic therapies that can provide durable disease control for many patients with metastatic disease, we are actively redefining the role of surgery in metastatic melanoma. Contemporary treatment strategies can employ surgical resection in the upfront setting followed by adjuvant therapy, or used in tailored approach following systemic therapy. The combination of surgical resection and modern therapies has been associated with good long-term survival.

Intestinal intussusception is one of the most common causes of intestinal obstruction in children; however, the incidence in adults is lower, and is caused by tumors in the majority of cases. Melanoma of the gastrointestinal tract is relatively rare, with only a small number of cases having been reported. The majority of cases occur as metastasis from cutaneous primary lesions, and the small bowel is the most common location of melanoma metastases in the gastrointestinal tract. The present study describes the case of a 47-year-old male patient with multiple soft tissue tumors, the largest one located in the left gluteal region, measuring 14x15x20 cm. This tumor was biopsied and a differential diagnosis was made between clear cell sarcoma and melanoma. The patient was evaluated by a dermatologist, without identifying any skin lesions compatible with cutaneous melanomas and was admitted to the emergency room due to an ileo-ileal intussusception. The results of the pathological analysis confirmed the final diagnosis of melanoma. On the whole, these lesions are usually diagnosed with the onset of symptoms, presenting an ominous prognosis.

Caval thrombus with intracardiac involvement is a rare condition that is associated with renal cell carcinoma. Few reports in literature describe this presentation with metastatic melanoma. Metastatic melanoma is known to involve the adrenal gland, although associated tumor thrombus extension into the renal vein and inferior vena cava is extremely rare. In this case report, we describe radical nephrectomy and adrenalectomy for metastatic melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer known for its significant risk of metastasis. Metastasis to the urinary bladder is rare.
METHODS: We report a case of a 75-year-old woman with melanoma metastasis to the bladder treated with transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
CONCLUSIONS: Cystoscopy is essential for all melanoma patients presenting with urinary symptoms. Treatment necessitates a multidisciplinary approach.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite advancements, the prognosis remains guarded, underscoring the need for further research to enhance therapeutic strategies.