Adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation for malignant metastatic melanoma to the liver

BACKGROUND:Metastases from malignant melanoma to the liver are rare in China,and surgical resection may be of potential benefit.Liver transplantation for this disease has never been reported.METHODS:We report a case of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation(A-A LDLT)for metastatic melanoma.With a surgical history of ocular melanoma,the recipient presented with emaciation from a large right hepatic mass which also probably had portal vein invasion.A-A LDLT was successfully performed and no postoperative complications were observed in either the donor or the recipient.Postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma;however no adjuvant chemotherapy was employed after transplantation.We also reviewed the literature on the surgical treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma to the liver and discussed the LDLT indications.RESULT:Recurrence occurred 6 months after surgery and the patient died from recurrence of the disease 8 months posttransplant.CONCLUSIONS:Review of the literature suggested that only a small subset of selected patients may benefit from liver resection.Large metastatic disease in the liver potentially involving a major vessel,as in this case,should be contraindicated for liver transplantation.