COMPLETE SPONTANEOUS REGRESSION OF PULMONARY METASTATIC MELANOMA

BACKGROUND. Complete spontaneous regression of melanoma metastatic to the lungs is a rare event. OBJECTIVE. To report a case of biopsy-prove n melanoma metastatic to the lung with complete spontaneous regression . METHODS. Multidisciplinary case report. RESULTS. A 35-year-old white female was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma to the lung. A pleural biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Partial spontaneous regression was not ed by a staging computed tomography scan prior to enrollment in an inv estigational protocol. Complete spontaneous regression occurred over 5 months without any form of conventional or alternative therapy, and t he patient remains disease-free 3 years after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS. Our case represents the seventh case of complete spontaneous regressio n of melanoma metastatic to the lung, and the only case with histologi c conformation of both the primary and pulmonary metastatic lesions. T he patient was pregnant twice between the time of her initial diagnosi s of primary melanoma and pulmonary metastatic disease. (C) 1998 by th e American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Dermatol Surg 1998;2 4:915-919.