A Rare Case of Small Bowel Intussusception Due to Metastatic Malignant Melanoma

Abstract

The small intestine is sometimes metastasized by malignant melanoma. While small intestinal involvement is asymptomatic or usually nonspecific, intussusception causing intestinal obstruction is very rare. Herein we report the case of a 68-year-old man with small bowel intussusception due to metastatic malignant melanoma. Although he has been comprehensively treated with surgery, radiation, and immunotherapies, the disease rapidly progressed and consequently severe life-threatening intussusception developed on the small bowel. Because surgical resection of the obstructive melanoma lesions was successful, his quality of life was dramatically improved followed by the resumption of treatment with anti-PD-1. Several effective treatments for metastatic melanoma, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapy, have been developed within the past decade. However, given the present case, surgical approaches to symptomatic metastatic melanoma lesions should still be considered as a treatment option for improving not only patients’ critical condition but also their survival.