Mediastinal Malignant Melanoma Markedly Shrinking in Response to Nivolumab

Intern Med. 2022 Jan 1;61(1):75-79. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.7452-21. Epub 2021 Jun 26.

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma (MM) of the mediastinum is rare, and there is a lack of consensus regarding the preferred treatment because non-cutaneous MM demonstrates an inferior response to systemic therapy. Herein, we describe the case of a 73-year-old man with MM of the anterior mediastinum with multiple liver metastases. Even though the size of lesions increased rapidly following diagnosis, nivolumab monotherapy caused remarkable tumor shrinkage. This is the first report of mediastinal MM showing a significant response to nivolumab. We, therefore, suggest that immunotherapy may be one of the treatment options for primary mediastinal MM.

Keywords: immunotherapy; malignant melanoma; mediastinal tumor; nivolumab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Male
  • Mediastinum
  • Melanoma* / drug therapy
  • Nivolumab / therapeutic use
  • Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Nivolumab