Mucosal melanoma following autologous stem cell transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL)

The incidence of secondary malignancy following autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is increasing. We describe a patient with stage IVB Hodgkin's disease who developed primary amelanotic malignant melanoma of the tongue 18 months following autologous stem cell transplantation. She was treated by partial glossectomy and supra-omohyoid neck dissection followed by cytokine-mediated immunotherapy. Malignant melanoma of the skin is a frequent secondary solid tumor seen in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. However, mucosal melanoma which is rare by itself (0.2-8%) has never been reported in NHL patients following ASCT. Early diagnosis and initiation of combined local and systemic treatments including immunotherapy may improve the outcome of this rare but lethal complication.