Primary vaginal malignant melanoma successfully treated with combination therapy: A case report

Yin,Ping; Ma,Xiaolin; Zhang,Yanfei; Song,Yang; Wang,Yuntao; Lu,Zhong

doi:10.3892/ol.2022.13550

Primary vaginal malignant melanoma successfully treated with combination therapy: A case report

Authors:
- Ping Yin
- Xiaolin Ma
- Yanfei Zhang
- Yang Song
- Yuntao Wang
- Zhong Lu
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Affiliations: School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China, Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261041, P.R. China, Jinming Yu Academician Workstation of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261041, P.R. China
Published online on: October 19, 2022 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2022.13550
Article Number: 430

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Abstract

Primary vaginal melanoma is rare compared to cutaneous melanoma, and it has a high rate of invasion and metastasis. The prognosis of tumors is poor and the quality of life of patients is low. In addition to traditional surgical and non‑surgical treatment, combined treatments are more effective for patients with distant metastatic melanoma. Due to the high immunogenicity of vaginal malignant melanoma, immunotherapy has become an effective treatment strategy for distant metastatic vaginal melanoma, and with the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), outstanding achievements have been made in the treatment of the disease. Studies have shown that ICIs combined with radiotherapy (RT) or anti‑angiogenic therapy can have a synergistic effect in certain tumor treatments, normalizing blood vessels and enhancing immune responses. However, whether ICIs combined with RT and anti‑angiogenic therapy can benefit patients with distant metastatic vaginal melanoma remains unclear. The present study reports the clinical case of a patient with distant metastatic vaginal melanoma treated with combined RT, anti‑angiogenic therapy and ICIs. The patient's primary tumor and distant metastases improved after combination therapy. The combination therapy successfully improved the patient's prognosis and prolonged the patient's overall survival. This provides a reference for combining all three treatment modalities in the treatment of distant metastatic vaginal melanoma.

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