Melanoma and isolated splenic metastases – case report and literature review

Background. Metastases to the spleen are considered a rare event generally occurring during the late stage of malignant disease. Isolated metastases are even rarely described. In the past years the number of reported cases in literature has risen mainly due to the improvements of the imaging techniques and the use of FDG-PET/CT in the follow-up of the patients with malignant disease. Even though melanoma can disseminate to any organ, metastases to spleen, found during life, are rare. Moreover, proven isolated metastases in the spleen are even seldomly described. Case report. We report a case of 61-year-old man with known skin melanoma treated in our Institute from 2009. During the regular follow up raised values of S-100 marker and isolated lesions in the spleen found on FDG-PET/CT were described. Due to isolated metastatic disease, splenectomy was indicated.Conclusion. Patients with stage IV. melanoma have poor prognosis, the median survival is estimated to six months. According to studies, metastasectomies for isolated metastases in solid organs can significantly improve survival of these patients. In melanoma patients with FDG-PET/CT proven isolated metastases to the spleen, splenectomy can significantly improve their survival and quality of life.