An unusual localization; esophageal melanocytosis
Ramazan Kozan1
, Zeynep Tatar2
1Clinic of General Surgery, Eren Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
2Division of Pathology, Patomer Pathology Center, İstanbul, Turkey
Abstract
Esophageal melanocytosis is a rare clinical and pathological condition characterized by non-atypical melanocytic proliferation and increased melanin in the esophageal mucosa, which is normally histologically non-melanocytic. Intensive melanin accumulation and hyperpigmentation are necessary for endoscopic recognition. Due to the fact that it is a rare gastrointestinal system pathology, experience and knowledge about its diagnosis, treatment and course are also limited. Although it is argued that chronic stimulating factors have an influence, there is no clear information about its etiology and pathogenesis. Malignant melanomas and melanocytic nevus in particular come to the fore in the differential diagnosis. Opinions and findings indicating that melanocytosis may be a precursor for malignant melanoma make the recognition and follow-up of this clinical and pathological entity more important. In this article, a patient with esophageal melanocytosis diagnosed by endoscopic evaluation is presented, with the aim of increasing the awareness of clinicians, especially endoscopists and pathologists, on this subject.
Keywords: Esophageal melanocytosis, endoscopy, melanoma
Cite this article as: Kozan R, Tatar Z. An unusual localization; esophageal melanocytosis. Turk J Surg 2021; 37 (1): 61-64.
This study was presented at the 14th National Hepato-Gastroenterology Congress, 5th National Congress of Gastroenterology Surgery, 1st Euroasian Gastroenterological Association Symposium, 5-8 April 2017, Antalya, Turkey.
Cite this paper as: Kozan R, Tatar Z. An unusual localization: esophageal melanocytosis. Turk J Surg 2018; DOI: 10.5152/turkjsurg.2017.3807
Written informed consent was obtained from patient who participated in this case.
Externally peer-reviewed.
Concept - R.K.; Design - R.K., Z.T.; Supervision - R.K.; Materials - R.K., Z.T.; Data Collection and/or Processing - R.K., Z.T.; Analysis and/or Interpretation -R.K., Z.T.; Literature Search - R.K., Z.T.; Writing Manuscript - R.K.; Critical Reviews - R.K.
No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.
The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.