Malignant Melanoma and Adenocarcinoma of a Barrett Oesophagus

Abstract

An adenocarcinoma with a malignant melanoma in a Barrett oesophagus is extremely rare. We did not find any other cases in the English literature. The diagnosis of a malignant melanoma can be difficult but can be made by tissue examination with a special immunoreaction with several markers to see it expresses S-100, but lacks activity for KER and EMA. S-100 is relatively non-specific as a single immunodeterminant in the diagnostic separation of melanoma and anaplastic carcinoma, but very sensitive. Immunohistochemically, these tumours react to S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase and HMB-45 antibody (less sensitive than S-100), but not to cytokeratin or CEA. In our case it was obvious that there were two different tumours because the MM was negative for cytokeratin, but the adenocarci-noma was positive for cytokeratin.

Key Words:

• Malignant melanoma
• adenocarcinoma
• Barret oesophagus

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M. Pruyt

M. Pruyt Stockemstraat 14 B-3040 Huldenberg, België E-mail: [email protected]