Complete regression of melanoma associated with vitiligo

Abstract

A 53-year-old woman presented with vitiligo. A pigmented lesion was disclosed in the physical examination. Its histopathologic study showed the presence of a band of melanophages in an uneven distribution. Fibroplasia and telangiectasias were also observed, but neither nevus nor melanoma cells were found. A short time afterwards, the patient developed a metastasis in an inguinal lymph node. In spite of high-dose interferon treatment, the patient died two years after the diagnosis. This case associates two uncommon events: a) the whole regression of a melanoma and b) vitiligo associated with melanoma. Although both processes have a similar pathogenic mechanism, this association is exceptional and probably influences the prognosis.