Prolonged survival in metastatic malignant melanoma associated with vitiligo

Abstract

A metastatic malignant melanoma presenting with axillary lymphadenopathy and without a detectable primary lesion is described in a 66-year-old woman. Extensive vitiligo developed 6 years after this diagnosis. There has been no recurrence of melanoma for 10 years following surgical resection of the lymph nodes. The significance of vitiligo and an elusive primary lesion to the favourable prognosis in metastatic malignant melanoma is discussed.