l

Malignant melanoma with the bone marrow carcinomatosis - 1.

Malignant melanoma with the bone marrow carcinomatosis - 1.
#00001020
Author: Marvin Cooper; Afshan Malik; Colette Spaccavento;
Category: Laboratory Hematology > Normal and reactive bone marow
Published Date: 06/01/2010

Bone marrow aspirate under low power showing scattered dark pigmentation consistent with malignant melanoma. We present a case of metastatic melanoma to bone marrow in a patient with melanoma. Metastases of melanoma to bone marrow are rare with widespread dissemination occurring in only 5 - 7%; of cases. (1) Metastatic melanoma usually involves draining lymph nodes and occasionally adjacent skin first, but eventually metastasizes to distant visceral sites. The lung is most commonly involved followed by brain, liver, bone marrow, and intestine. (2) In our patient with history of malignant melanoma, bone marrow aspirate and biopsy were done for the evaluation of new onset thrombocytopenia. Immunohistochemical staining on the biopsy was consistent with metastatic melanoma.