Beyond the skin – A rare case of primary pulmonary melanoma and endobronchial aspergilloma

Abstract

Melanoma is an aggressive skin tumor, but it may be present in other locations. Primary lung melanoma and endobronchial aspergilloma are rare entities.The authors report a case of a 72-year-old, asthmatic woman, with worsening of her respiratory complaints. Imaging revealed finger in glove sign at the left hemithorax. Bronchoscopy revealed an elongated mass with evidence of Aspergillus. Despite endoscopic mass removal, the patient maintained the nodular imaging at the left hemithorax. She underwent thoracic surgery, and the histological evaluation identified malignant melanoma. After undergoing a thorough evaluation, we excluded other melanocytic lesions, and assumed the diagnosis of primary malignant lung melanoma.This case demonstrates a rare association between endobronchial aspergilloma and primary lung melanoma, raising awareness of considering the co-existence of lung tumor in the presence of endobronchial aspergilloma, and showing endobronchial aspergilloma mimicking malignant lesions.

Keywords

• Lung melanoma
• Endobronchial aspergilloma
• Aspergillus