Malignant melanoma in the heart, with focus on the histopathological diagnosis: review of our two cases in a five-year period

ABSTRACT

Over a five-year period, we encountered two cases of malignant melanoma with metastasis to the heart and pericardium. Both patients had a relevant medical history, showing their previous involvement by this tumor. A high index of suspicion, simply provided by a precise clinical history, together with histopathological and cytological studies can be used to diagnose such patients in due course. The preliminary diagnosis is made by echocardiography, by which the tumoral masses are seen in different parts of the heart. Nevertheless, their primary or secondary origin as well as the histogenesis can only be ascertained by pathological studies. Routine staining methods are useftil in the demonstration of malignant cells in the tissue or pericardial fluid samples