A Case of Metastatic Melanoma Presenting as a Small Bowel Obstruction

Abstract

Small bowel obstructions are most commonly caused by adhesion. Less common causes arise from malignant pathology. Here we present a relatively rare case of a small bowel obstruction due to malignant melanoma. Melanoma involving the gastrointestinal tract is relatively rare with most cases occurring as metastatic spread from a cutaneous primary. The treatment typically requires a surgical resection or palliative bypass. When a patient presents with a small bowel obstruction but without prior abdominal surgeries or hernias a malignant obstruction must be on the differential.

Keywords

• metastatic melanoma
• malignant bowel obstruction