Penile metastasis of cutaneous malignant melanoma: a true hematogenous spread? Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Penile involvement has been implicated as a metastatic site in several tumors; approximately 300 cases have been reported. Of these, only two cases showed cutaneous melanoma as the primary site. Our patient presented with a painless mass on the penile shaft together with other distant metastases. A magnetic resonance image demonstrated two sites of deposit in the subcutaneous tissue on the radix penis, and fine needle aspiration cytology of the mass confirmed the presence of melanoma cells. The patient died of systemic disease without any further treatment for penile involvement. This unusual involvement is presented with a review of the related literature. Melanoma Res 16:259-261 (c) 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.